Spoogie. Why on earth would I want to say "descend and maintain". As opposed to what? Descend and don't maintain? What's wrong with "descend FL270"? Simple, easy to understand. Just like ICAO intended when they wrote the manual. Salvation lies in Ch 12.3. A descend clearance is no different from a climb, speed, land, take-off etc. clearance. So why the need to question it? Do you question a climb instruction?
You also bring up a disturbing point that needs addressing. And please correct me if I'm wrong.
to remind the pilots of their responsibility to comply with ATC instructions
Are you saying that you need to be reminded by your company to act like a professional aviator? That before you will act like a professional I must first file a complaint? Please say it ain't so.
Auh_to_auh. Intention wasn't to come across God-like, it was just 20 years of frustration with the almost purposeful disregard for standard r/t.
Reminder: In-shallah is
NOT standard r/t.
Nearly forgot to add: Use your fu...ng callsign!!!!! Anywhere in the transmission. Beginning, middle, end. Just fu...ng use it.