Adlerdriver

Okay, fair enough. I'm either off base, not making my point well or a little of both.

Sure, I can understand how this happened too. It appears that ATC instructions were perceived as the gospel even though they directly contradicted the printed information on the IAP the crew was cleared to fly.

So, these two pilots either believed ATC could clear them to start an IAP from the IAF at an altitude lower than published...or

They were unaware of the published minimum altitude on the arc.

Both of those situations are unacceptable in my opinion and point to a perception and/or procedural failure on the crew's part.

It would appear the problem is assuming ATC is infallible and blindly following their instructions in the face of very specific and clear published guidance to the contrary. That's my point.

Would you blame ATC or say they at least shared the blame if ground cleared someone to taxi across the grass to get to the gate and they complied? Some things are simply black and white and the pilots are the final quality check.