given a heading to intercept the 25 localiser when still 40-45 miles left to run
If yer coming down from Blaca, what's the problem, just fly yerself towards the LOC and report established once yer inside 25D.
We may (or may not) do something similar at my unit and no pilots complain (not even the orange mob).
Why not just ask 'can we fly direct the c/fix?'