Originally Posted by PJ2
However, airlines have created a work-around called a "Visual Approach".... Some carriers even permit Visual Approaches in designated mountainous territory and some even permit Visual Approaches at night.
Is it "visual approach" that your are describing, or is it "contact approach" that is raising your concerns? The visual shouldn't, but I would certainly join your concern - in spades (as we say in the colonies!) - if it is the "contact approach" that has your attention.