For once in my life I have checked my PM's. It gauls me that someone can start a thread and be challenged, only to run into hiding and then PM someone just what they think, and avoid the public domain. I'm not going to post the full message, that would just be falling into childish behavior however I'll post a few points raised.
Firstly Bagso, you have attacked me on points that I didn't even raise.
Gonzo asked what magazine, not being familiar with Spotter mags, I don't quite understand your reply, someone else might. You say its for a Spotters mag, Radio Magazine (?), I take it from your comments its based in Manchester. Was that too hard to post when asked? Press do ATC a huge injustice many times, so forgive me and my fellow controllers for being a little forward in asking, but we are not going to contribute to another tabloid/broadsheet bashing.
You go on to say that you weren't having a go at ATCO's, that you were actually defending them. I personally find no defence in any that you have said here, or have said previous (like a saddo, I too have delved into the searches to find out about you).
Your comment about "based on the commercial pressures that are forcing more and more traffic into the south-east" is admitted to being your own personal opinion. Companies will only expand further out if they are going to gain from it, so if shuttling pax to the major hub is cheaper, thats what they will do.
To answer the question "if all the stacks are full and full flow control is in operation what happens then?", well we all get to destination safely. The 'finite' room is protected, and our operations cope admirably and eventually everyone gets where they want, normally without too much a delay, because at present demand doesn't last 24 hrs.
You originally remarked Stansted could have been put anywhere in the UK, to which I answered Essex proved its worth. You now comment that without Ryanair growth has been minimal. Err, you answered my arguement, RYR saw the potential of Stansted and have used it to great effect boosting Stansted's movements, I very much doubt that somewhere further away from London would have proven such a great venture. You also forget that Easy operate a good schedule from Stansted too, and FedEx moved there along with a few other cargo's due to its appeal.
You mention that the government got 'cold feet' in selling off NATS due to a number of near miss stories and that they hadn't listened to us saying "bad idea, scrap that". I agree that they didn't listen to us, its still a bad idea, BUT THEY STILL DID IT. NATS has been privatised in part (49%) for several years now.
I believe 5 airports are better than one huge airport due to the fact the a/c all exit the airspace at different levels at different points (safety issue), and don't need extensive streaming.
In the jouralistic world, comments raised can be taken out of context and written to vindicate rather than abdicate. They do not get proof reading from any contributer, and can very quickly make a good situation look bad. If I spoke to the press and my company found out, I would be sacked. End of.
You had 3 quick replies from ATCO's (one of them a moderator) that were inquisitive or closed, and you came back all defensive still not identifying yourself. I then quizzed you and you resorted to hiding from the public domain. If you really want help then I suggest you move on from PM'ing slightly insulting and defensive replies, and start contributing "full facts and not selected items in isolation", then you might get the replies you want.
