Couldn't agree more.
I consider it VERY bad airmanship not to comply with an assigned speed restriction. Especially when on base or established on the ILS. It usually creates a lot of extra work for the ATCO and often results in irregular spacing for the next couple of ACs, if not a go-around for the AC behind the culprit.
You wouldn't all of a sudden turn off the instructed heading because you feel like it, would you? You wouldn't all of a sudden climb 1000' just because you feel like it, would you?
I hope not. I would hope that you state your request and I can assure you that we always do our utmost to accommodate you.
As Vortex Issues correctly says. As long as you let us know, preferably before the base leg, almost anything is possible. Both with regards to speed and length of the line-up.
Bottom line: Speak up, let us know what you prefer or if an instruction doesn't suit you and let's work together
