Don't know why you say amended - the clearance is Maintain 5000 or 6000 usually.
'cause its in MATS. 9-15-370
If the route and/or level issued in the airways clearance is not in
accordance with the Flight Plan, prefix the route and/or level
clearance with AMENDED.
'maintain' a level should only be used when there is an expectation the aircraft will maintain a level on descent. 9-25-290
I take the point of the 'paper-stop' but....I still feel that these initial level restictions should belong in the realms of departure or control instuctions. Where is the 'paper-stop' between controller A and controller B?
Isn't this transferring the responsibility for separation into workload and increased confusion for the cockpit?
Thoughts?