SOmeone above posted the following.
"A prudent choice in South America is to NOT use radar vectors (Min Sector Altitudes), but instead fly the entire letdown procedure."
I very much agree. Two reasons. (1) Both copilot and captain know where they are and what minimum altitude is necessary. Not so if being vectored. (2) Knowing (1) requires virtually no common language with the controller except "cleared for the approach."
Much safer daytime. And, at night over mountains in the third world, I would actively refuse radar vectors. No reason for them really. I've got TCAS.
[This message has been edited by bizjet pilot (edited 21 September 2000).]