RAPID DESENT
 

IN CASE RAPID DESENT IS REQUIRED WHEN SHOULD ONE INTIATE A TURN AND WHEN IS IT RECOMENDED TO DESENT HEAD ONN.

The current FAA thinking is to descend with a 10deg turn, NOT the old 90deg that we were all taught.
The theory being that a 90deg turn could send you into several other ATC sectors, but straight ahead will put you in harms way with the other FMS driven traffic.

I subscribe to the idea of turning at least 30* off track to 10nm out, then parallel. Do it quick in RVSM airspace - Murphy guarantees that there will be traffic 1000ft below if it ever happens to you. As a side benefit, especially if hand flown, a reasonable bank will allow the nose to fall without -ve G effects on the cabin service carts which are also sure to be out, thanks again to Murphy.