Over+Out
At Maastricht data link trials have been carried out for several years.
They were terminated for a while when the new display system came on line but were re-introduced towards the end of last year.
Unfortunately the info, and instructions for which we may use it was limited at the request of certain National Administrations, which has probably deterred a number of operators from joining the scheme.
It certainly has a place in tomorrow's ATC, however at the moment it is still piggybacked onto the input system and, at Maastricht at least, not very user friendly,especially when busy.
I retired a few months ago so maybe some one like Traffic Traffic or Four Three Three - BTW, loved the score last night, salut les copins - would be able to provide more info, otherwise look at the Eurocontrol website.
FWIW, when it's that busy, and the traffic is following SIDs/STARs/is en-route, and is identified to the controller, would not a better instruction be, "C/S monitor unit on freq.."? Then the next controller can call them up as , and when, he needs to work them. Unfortunately requires a more intense monitoring of the freq., and probably 121.5 than is now the case.
Lon More, more than just an ATCO
Here before Pontius was a Pilot or Mortus was a Rigger