"ATC wants to lighten their workload by forcing you to accept a visual so that things are now YOUR problem on the visual approach and not theirs."
Visual approaches at major airports do not lighten a controller's workload. Visual approaches are run for one reason- to allow more airplanes to land in a given period of time. During an arrival push at LAX with VMC weather, airplanes can land literally four abreast on each of the runways. If ILS's must be used, the closest they can be is two abreast, one to 25L, the other to 24R, each with an airplane 2.5nm in trail, provided that no wake turbulence seperation is required.
ILS's are easier to work. Visuals require 50-75% more talking. Visual approaches are the only way that airline over-scheduling can be accomodated. Unfortunately, $140/barrel oil is helping with that.
Bruce Morey
Current DHC8 FO
Retired Air Traffic Controller