"Dave Butler" wrote in message
news:1132165254.489969@sj-nntpcache-3...

OK, agreed. I'd call those clearances explicitly discretionary.


I'd call those clearances implicitly discretionary. I'd call a clearance
that included "descend at pilot's discretion" explicitly discretionary.



Yes, exactly. The clearance as originally stated was not for a
discretionary descent. By responding "right" to the pilots question, the
controller amended the clearance and simultaneously demonstrated lack of
understanding of the way clearances are stated. But OK, I see your point.


The controller didn't amend the clearance, she just verified that descent
was at pilot's discretion.