They used to talk about descent profiles, fuel saving and all that jazz, but it was a different era, prior to computer input and monitoring.
My ATC course included a two week airline attachment. One flight on a 727(100) from ML to AD, the FO was flying and for whatever reason decided to have the VSI at +6000'/min and ASI 350+ on descent into AD.
It seemed to be a pilot preferred option as to how this was achieved. It may have seen to be reckless, but those chaps really had options how they handled the aircraft. No STARS, close bases, and no FMS or whatever.
For good or bad, those days have gone, but boy it was fun!
Thanks for the memories.