How long to get down question

An OT query for folks here. While discussing things that can happen
between the jetways, I posited that it's a really bad to be aloft
in Big Iron in a medical emergency, etc. -- based on how long it
takes to get on the ground.



That brings up the question of how long that time really is....

So:
If you are at cruise in Boeing's finest at FL430 & declare an
emergency; how fast CAN you be down and stopped? (Or Airbus, for
that matter....)

Assuming ATC can clear a lane, I assume it's a function of how
steep a decent you can use without exceeding the max IAS. What are
the limits on speed brakes, dropping gear, etc. to dirty things ups?

Do you slow to gear-down speed, drop them, then nose over? Or is
the higher speed possible w/ gearup better?

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