Interesting thread. Yesterday I was involved in a discussion involving commercial pilots and controllers who were debating the reduction in applied rates within the last 1000 feet due the RA situation. Some controllers were saying that at times rates are required for sep purposes or to meet airspace constraints and that they expected the instruction to be followed unless advised differently. Some pilots were suggesting that they would comply and others not due company instructions. Another operator suggested that in fact they would reduce to less than 1000 in the last 1000 to avoid a TA also. The fact that there was debate at all suggested that if sep or airspace constraints were the reason for the application of rates in excess of 1500 fpm then another standard increased vertical or lateral would be the best - thoughts
