One thing puzzles me in the recent NATs performance critique on these Forums. As recent as yesterday there were reports of ATC flow restrictions at Heathrow due Controller absence/sickness. Gatwick have also had repeated ATC delays reported for the same reason. ( Recently Tower controllers)
During my airline career substantial resources of expensive flying staff, pilots and cabin crew, were employed to cover this, in the form of Standby duties. On my last Long Haul fleet three full flight deck crews were rostered every day to cover last minute crew shortages due sickness etc.
It appears there is no such facility available to cover these avoidable NATS delays. Surely when an ATC controller “goes sick” etc. at short notice, there should be adequate rostered controllers at home to cover these normal eventualities?