sabenaboy, but the basic point I am making is that it is us pilots who are managing the aeroplane (indeed the operation of the aeroplane) - if you are issued a clearance which you cannot comply with due to performance constraints or such items as approach gates then it behoves us to advise atc "sorry unable!" - of course, this is a judgement call at certain times but, in my opinion, this is what flying (indeed captaincy) is all about. Yes, resequencing may take a little extra time but is far preferable than an approach gate bust or even worse, as Amsterdam shows.
Whilst supporting any attempt to achieve standardised R/T thoughout the world we also have to realise that atc need to retain a degree of flexibility at the same time ensuring safe separation with other a/c. I cannot understand this obsession with wanting clearance to descend when "cleared ils" (or whatever phraseology you want!) when it is clearly in our hands, as pilots, to manage the a/c safely.