Voodoo - I guess you are not EK?? As most based airlines use a 'fuel star' for planning?? The full star or trombone as it gets called is for over flow as the system we have for sequencing aircraft off the holds is not that accurate, especially if you have strong upper winds or high surface wind.
Under normal ops base leg will be given around GIRGO(30), busy nights ops about 10nm after.
Hope that helps, most pilots like getting a short cut!?!?
