Lawerboy,. .. .I think you already know the answers to your questions. You're right with Q1. And right with Q2, except that, being radio (and not information), they're not allowed to say "at your discretion".. .. .However, I personally would not do a straight in approach to an un-controlled field - certainly not from more than a couple of miles out, anway. It gives you no chance to see and avoid anyone else in the circuit (who would have right of way over you). Far better, if you want to get down quickly, to join on left-base or right-base, depending on the direction of the circuit in use. And if it's a field which I'm not familiar with (I get the impression from your post that this isn't your home field?) I'd always join overhead - this gives you a chance to check out the field beforehand.. .. .FFF. .---------