A Humble ATCO asks....
I need some advice as to SOP's amongst you good airline types.
Whilst working a LL BPK departure, having given the climb to FL150 and with the a/c 5 miles south of BPK (easterlt R/W's in use), I cleared the a/c to route direct DIDGO, (expecting a track of about 060 degrees), and transferred it to the next sector.
Imagine my surprise when the a/c then tracked 090 straight towards the LAM hold (which only had one a/c in it fortunately), for a good 10 miles before turning to track 040 (I don't know whether this turn was instigated by the next sector).
Any ideas people, because if LAM had been busy, this could have had a different result!!! My understanding is that if you are given a direct routing then you will route there directly from where you are. Is this not always the case???