Bandboxing
The art of combining two (or more) ATC sectors and running them as one.
Usually done when traffic levels are low enough not to require the sectors to be "Split". E.G. Nights.
Required(esp at Swanwick)because staff shortages mean that there aren't enough qualified controllers to actually "man" the split sectors. Serious flow control is then required to keep the bandboxed (combined) sector controller from becoming overloaded.
Okay that's what "bandboxing" is, but in all honesty I do not know the origin of the term I've been using for over 20 years. I never thought to ask. Anyone out there care to enlighten me? Silver Fox? You still around? Help.
Rgds BEX