Jane...I appreciate your point and agree. But para 3.9, as wooly as it is, is apt. There are many things that we should consider, but you have loads more to consider (pax strapped in, crew in aisles, aircraft weight and loading, perfomance etc etc)
All I can say is that I endorse what has been said above.
I would expect a great deal more than a gentle rate 1 turn - esp in the LTMA, where we use the 3mile horizontal minimum seperation daily.
Interesting that you say that previous AA was given in an urgent, direct and specific manner; Not sure if they were following the MATS pt 1 which says "Clear enunciation and urgent tone must be used" or whether it was panic and adrenalin!! From my experience it is always the latter.
At least the phraseology has been improved this year, so at least it should negate the "Say Again/Was that for me..." scenarios.