Gatwick used to give transits in the 70s & 80s with no problem at all. I even did Redhill to Shoreham DCT as part of my qualifying cross country route...! A few years later, Redhill to Shoreham DCT in an open cockpit biplane with a hand held radio and no TXPDR! Again, no problem, pleased to be of help!
However, in the past 10 years I have never been granted permission to fly the same route.. Speaking to an ATC chap when i visited the tower at LGW, I got the distinct impression that it was all just a little too much hard work, much easier to refuse it..
So what's different now to 20 years ago?
Stansted have NEVER cleared me across any part of their zone, so I choose to go round and not even bother speaking to them. Southampton have ALWAYS cleared me across via SAM....Likewise East Midlands, always happy to clear you across their zone, therefore happy to speak to them both
