his Dudeness
A real pitty to read what you have experienced. Sometimes traffic situation may require a non optimum approach guidance but as I remember those dinosauers at least knew what the word service means and they also knew what "top of descend" is described as.
As for the early descends the old "crackies" had a very simple answer. "Cheat the system, file the wrong destination". And of course either refile or divert to your intended destination.(not too often or a "Cleverli" might imagine what´s going on)
By the way, had the crew of the crashed C 501 done the diversion in time they all would be alive. Becoming killed by ones actions mostly starts with minor flaws.
Jo