Boeing FMC holding question

[JammedStab]

Normally, when a hold at a waypoint is entered into the FMC, the field for INBD CRS/DIR will be automatically filled with the flight planned course to the waypoint and a right turn which can be modified by the user.

Has anybody ever used normally blank the QUAD/RADIAL field as an alternative and why would it be used?

[wiggy]

Yes, but only once or twice, for en-route holds in the States where ATC have issued the holding instructions......old thread on the subject here.

https://www.pprune.org/tech-log/407399-atc-holding-instruction.html

[Skyjob]

If a hold is predefined it usually has published holding data already included. All courses and distances can be amended to suit.
Published data is not necessarily the flight planned course to the waypoint with right turns

[flyboyike]

Keep in mind the OP is a long-time Captain on "world's largest airplanes with world's largest engines" (his words, not mine). Guess he has his F/Os program the box normally, hence the question...