Originally Posted by zach141

Question for someone who is/was both a USAF pilot and an airline pilot regarding holding pattern entry:

I realize that either the AIM procedure or the AFM 11-217 holding pattern entry procedure will keep you in protected airspace, i.e. it doesn't matter in terms of safety. I also realize that the AIM is not federal law. I further realize that that, measured in degrees, the odds are against it happening. But, consider the question in a civilian checkride sense (with either the FAA, a designated pilot examiner, or an airline check airman). Can you bust a check for, say, using a teardrop entry outside the 70-degree sector that the FAA authorizes? Or perhaps if you drive out the teardrop course using >30 degrees away from the inbound course (USAF gives you 45 degrees)? Inquiring minds want to know.
zach