26left
Sorry to come down to Earth, but operational controllers don't go on jollies to Zurich and/or Toronto, only the suit-and-tie brigade.
I cannot share your view that a mouse-click is simpler and quicker than the stroke of a pen which can be achieved almost sub-consciously and without direct eye monitoring; likewise I cannot share your view on the rationale of NATS' safety cases....they are purely to achieve the end result and are not transparent to the workforce that will be affected.
I can however sympathise with the multitude of ATC technology and equipment providers, must be darned difficult to find a profit out of selling paper strips, and frustrating as hell to know that the low-tech strip works.
Everything "actas" said is right, and London Area Control Centre at Swanwick has retained the paper strip which works in perfect harmony with the electronic side of the operation. For Area work I can write on a strip every second, each one a different aircraft; the electronic alternative requires hooking and diverting attention from the prime task....resulting in a capacity decrease of 30-40% when busy......and believe me.......we get really busy!