Gentlemen
Without combing the books ad infinitum I believe the reason for the 15 mins cancel/refile parameter is to keep in line with ICAO guidelines as opposed to some arbitrary Eurocontrol restriction.
It is very rarely a problem and if it is,give the CFMU a call and we should be able to sort something out. We don't bite (Well ok some of us do
As for the direct routes we can see you and our system makes adjustments to compensate.It is not a problem!!!
The only things that get on our t*ts are when an airport requires a regulation and then lets everyone go outside slot tolerances, it kinda defeats the object (And please don't flame me with justifications, I was a tower controller for long enough to know why it happens
).
The other thing is Operators who don't update Off Block Times; when this happens we have no idea what your required take off time really is so therefore we can't improve your slot!!!
Best Regards
Prospero
Brussels
The Millwall of the aviation world............