Rananmin
AGP is often a problem, i have been cleared for the approach on R13 only for us to point out that the ILS is identing for R33, for them to reply " yes we have landing traffic on the R33 ILS at 7 miles" !!
There is no need normally for 180 at 25 miles, but again i have been kept high FL120 at 25 miles inbound MAR cleared for the approach maintain high speed contact TWR who then want min approach speed, they simply don't talk to each other.
East Midlands circuit height? abeam down wind 09 FL060 descend 3000ft?
Time after time you will be in the same ground position no matter that the QNH is way above standard or hoofing Easterly tail wind BHX no better, the best are LGW follow their speeds to the knt and they'll drop you in on profile on the LOC.
Of course recent fuel prices have caused airline to change their FMC cost index, but no one told ATC? so you have Easy going down at 255 baby at 265Ryanair at warp 8 Flybe 145 at 300knts and so on.
It would be far better if ATC just instruct on speed, they have the big picture (unless you are a Spanish ATC in which case its not the big picture its the flat screen (TV that is!!))
Lol