Medium Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 19000; Flight Crew Type 4000
Time Pressure; Communication Breakdown; Distraction; Troubleshooting; Workload; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Airspace Structure; Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related; Staffing
On a recent IFR flight from ZZZ1 to ZZZ we encountered very poor service from Approach Control facility.  We were descending from FL380 anticipating radar vectors for the ILS Runway XXL at ZZZ.  We were handed over to Approach from Center and experienced a challenging time trying to establish and maintain VHF communications with Approach.  We had to request a descent numerous times during the arrival phase of our flight.  Approach was managing a huge area of airspace with numerous aircraft and firefighting aircraft all trying to accomplish their particular mission.  By the time I arrived at ZZZZZ Intersection of the ILS approach to Runway XXL at ZZZ I was still at 8;000 feet MSL and still trying to continue the descent.  The Controller was just too busy to accommodate or even acknowledge our requests for descent.  Since the advent of the COVID virus service from ATC has not been very good.  I'm not trying to place blame on any individual controllers rather I'm trying to highlight the need for more ATC Staff.  Operating shorthanded is dangerous.  Please make it known that our air traffic control system is currently hobbled and I don't feel confident with their service right now.
Pilot reported ATC being too busy to communicate with them while attempting to request a clearance to descend.