I think you are right on. The desire is to fly as close to the book as possible yet to be practical. I see the book as guidelines that allow a little deviation ie +-100feet. When two pilot agree then the flying can become a lot of fun. A perfect example, our company FOM says all landings should be within the first 1500 feet of the runway, the FAA says within the touchdown zone which is 3000 feet of a 10000 foot runway. Our objective is the get a very smooth landing with the first 1500 feet without dropping below the glidepath or VASI. It can be done but you have to work at it.