Ok , Only dealing with the original topic. If everyone wanted a couple of more turns in the hold followed by a shorter arrival pattern then the stacks would build up to a point where they would be infringing on overflying traffic, or more en route holding would be required.
A stack can only be governed using procedural control (ie 1 a/c every thousand feet).
Once clear of the stack and in a radar pattern the controller can then use radar seperation and so can have multiple aircraft at or descending to the same altitude.But the controller must also work within the vertical and lateral confines of their airspace in order to keep you in controlled airspace and out of other airfields traffic.An example of this is at Edinburgh where if you were vectored downwind for 15 miles on runway 06 youd actually be in Glasgows airspace underneath the LANAK hold!
Given the same amount and same mix of traffic you can generally have a relatively tight slow circuit or a faster but larger circuit.
Trying to find a balance between the two is a constant struggle and will never satisfy all pilots or be suitable to all a/c types. This mixed in with Vortex requirements and providing your tower controller with the gaps they need is what makes this job so interesting day in ,day out.
One suggestion I would make is that if you are asked to reduce to 210 when you can remain clean at 220 then say so.It may mean an extra 1/2 mile track distance,it may be granted it may not ,but the controller certainly will consider it.
[This message has been edited by Wheelybin (edited 26 May 2001).]