Hi Mark-Yup, it's more of a "wouldn't it be nice" thing to have in most US daylight applications. Its something to show new FO's with the standard "works great, costs lottsa money, we rarely get to use it" statement.The redeyes are fun, like being cleared direct SFO when passing Gipper (GIJ) at midnight. Then the full capabilities of the FMC (and a good dispatcher) come into play.The real difference is when in "free flight" we are managing the airspace usage with our system....in the crowded daylight ATC world we are conforming the system to the limited airspace. Kinda makes you wanna whistle the theme to "The High and the Mighty".Off to CRAF....see yaTim

Thank you guys very much! i always appreciate your professional explanation, and i always learnt more by your help~ >:-) I'm quite understand the T/D now, and i would have a better preparation for my next descend. My regular flight is from RCTP-VHHH(ELATO1A ARRIVAL), i just included the STAR for reference.From A1 airway to join the STAR, normally i would be instructed to start descend after passing ELATO, i'm not sure there's a FAF in this chart, but normally would reaching 3000ft at GUAVA and HDG 250, then waiting for a right turn to intercept ILS for rwy07L, so as you can see the speed/alt restrictions at MAGOG(FL260), MELON(250kt/FL150), the cruise alt before the STAR is FL390, and i almost spent 1 hour for the STAR each time(total flight time is 1hr 45min included taxi on the ground)~ So in the case, what FAF should i set for the arrival? or just depend on my experience which is 3000ft~ Best RegardsTommy