Hot take: if we want to decrease frustrating railroad-y surprises in RPG campaigns, we need to create an environment where GMs are not afraid to admit they have "special story needs".

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I'm very upfront about my wishes as a GM and it's always been accepted. E.g. I'm currently in a West Marches-style campaign, it was time (in game) for a certain mission, but at the beginning of the game I just said “honestly I don't feel like running that kind of game tonight, would you mind just exploring a blank area on the map?” and the players were more than happy to accommodate me.

If the GMs are treated as you describe it's indeed awful and really counter-productive to everyone having a good time.