Drex,
About Italy:
Us: Any chance direct GOTAR?
Padova ATC: What would be your track?
Us:104
Padova: OK cleared direct GOTAR, and we'll cordinate later...
ATC: FCO 16L in use.
Us: Any chance for 16R
ATC Sby.. (about 10 secs later) OK 16R approved (saved around 10 mins taxi time)
I always had the feeling that in Italy, everything is chaotic, BUT everything seems to work. I had the feeling that if something was rejected, there was always a reason.
Madrid: clear weather, no aircraft on RWY 33L, we were on 18NM final for 33R. Any chance for the other RWY? Instant reply NO! This answer costs our company around 20 extra mins taxi, which is around at least 200 kg fuel. We fly as well to VLC, BCN, PMI and a few other places but I have never seen so amateur controlling as in MAD (Spanish level 4 is min required, 5 and 6 reccomended in order to operate there safely)