I think this "ding" thing is an issue.I am 100% sure my FMC in the PMDG a/c flies pretty accurately but now and again I get the usual"do a 180".You don't seem to be penalised later if you make an immediate request for another checkpoint but sometimes the dialog box in which you make the requests is not available to you because ATC or another a/c is talking.Sometimes the wait to get control of the dialog box is too long and ATC then give you another ticking off(and a sarcastic resume at the end!)I appreciate you cannot talk when someone else is(FS ATC has a little "sqeak" for this,) but to be unable to set up the reqest is a litle annoying.I tend not to listen to the critique when that happens!!

One thing in real life as in the RC simulation is that ATC rules. You drop LNAV when you start taking vectors and use your MCP if you want vectors.If your STAR waypoints are in your plan RC will follow those up to the point where it starts to vector you. You continue to use LNAV up to then. Keep in mind that it is your responsibility to insure your FS9 waypoints (which RC uses) are in sync with the waypoints in your FMC database.I have four cockpit videos in European situations where tighter STARS are used (Hapag-Lloyd Express going in and out of Cologne is a good one as well as Belaire) and this is what they do. They use the NAV display as a guide.I work here in Minneapolis about 15 miles out from runway 12L at KMSP. All the time I see aircraft taking various entries to the ILS as ATC directs in order to affect separation on inbound. (I have also at home a scanner to monitor comms.) I see smaller faster more manuverable commuter jets hightailing on a shorter base merge coming in front of slower larger jets merging into the inbound from farther out but from the same nearside approach. Heavies require a longer stabilized final. Following a STAR this close in with a rigid manner will not get the aircraft sequenced all the time in heavy density traffic. Aircraft seperation is the number 1 ATC priority as well as attempting to offer the most efficient procedure time for all the aircraft concerned. STARS are a starting point and practical guide. They are not binding upon ATC discretion.

keep in mind, for departure procedures, you have to come within 2 miles of each checkpointjd