Originally Posted by
BoilerUP
They can use spoilers - they just don't want to.
Call it a pride/ego thing; with proper descent planning you shouldn't NEED to use spoilers and with the new flap speeds its becoming increasingly more necessary.
The problem is that seldom do pilots plan their own descents these days. ATC dictates speed and altitudes and often what they require is beyond the capabilities of the aircraft sans spoliers. You could always tell them you are unable to comply but then you risk delay vectors and such. Use the spoilers and call it good.