Especially at Amsterdam where they have far too many to choose from.

Well I'm a controller and I've never understood it either. I tend to work on the basis that I'll keep using the the one the controller before me was using and I'll change it if the pilots start complaining. Thankfully I've only got one other choice!

Just a minor point about the 27s being preferred at LL due to noise abatement.

Yes, Aircraft make a good deal more noise on take-off compared to landing. However, Westerly inbounds make a greater amount of noise across a larger geographical area. I.e. I live below the area where Aircraft are vectored to intercept the ILS and a lot of noise can be heard here!
It's nice though - especially distinguishing the Aircraft from the sound of the engine! :8:ok:

Oh! I genuinely didn't see that post!

Got it now though, thanks!

Amsterdam
 

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has five major runways, and a sixth one for GA, bizjets and the like. There's a hefty document describing the GeluidsPreferentieel Baangebruik Systeem (GPBS) which details exactly the process of selecting runways for landing and take-off, based on factors such as availability, wind, time of day, and noise pollution.

There's a good intro on this on http://www.crosnet.nl/index.cfm?page=faq.baangebruik. Unfortunately it's in Dutch, but maybe babelfish or something can translate it into decent English.