FlightPathOBN,
"What about idle descent...how does that fit in?"
In a quiet environment or at night, it's generally not a problem, but at airports operating at max capacity it trashes the movement rate and results in those following you having to spend unecessary time in the hold. Or if you are following someone on idle descent, then it's you going around the hold, wondering why.
It's an unfortunate fact these days that operating an aircraft economically is ok for one aircraft but for those following, going into the hold makes the whole idea uneconomical at busy airports. The greatest benefit for all concerned is down to aircraft operating at the mean fastest speed possible. This applies as much on final (160kts to 4nm) as to the en-route phase. One aircraft cruising at M.73 when everyone else wants to cruise at M.80 means that every hour for that particular level, one aircraft has to stay on the ground because that level is not available because of one aircraft flying "economically".
Flying is not a cheap option (despite what LCCs may want you to believe) and so-called "economical" flying is also not necessarily the cheap or best option that airline "bean counters" may want you to believe. One aircraft on idle descent while 6 aircraft from the same company get vectored "x" extra miles or go around the hold once makes a nonsense of the economics of it all.
One radical solution is for Mr. Airbus and Mr. Boeing to make aircraft that don't generate wake turbulence. Mind you getting over the sight of 3 landing aircraft on the runway with you just in the flare might present other perception problems.
Meanwhile, back in the real world, controllers around the world have to cope with the realities of generating increasing amounts of runway and airspace capacity. And I see Mr. Boeing is thinking of adding an extra 1700 aircraft a year for the next 20 years. No doubt Mr. Airbus, not wishing to be outdone, will also do his bit and add an extra 2000 for the next 25 years!
Remember that when you next drive down a motorway and are following someone "cruising economically" at 50mph. Is he doing everyone a favour and saving the planet "x" amounts of CO2 emissions and everyone 3 mpg or is he just making everyone behind 20 minutes late and creating one of those "phantom" queues which result in a 20 mile tailback. Flying is just the same, kind of.
On the beach