Gonzo, exactly.
Javelin, agreed.
Thomsonfly - The problem with increasing the spacing to LVP spacing with strong winds is that the (already reduced) flowrate will be a trickle and people would be holding for ages both in the air and on the ground. If you advocate flying your own speed to decrease your workload what would you have done the other day? Slowed up sooner/later? 160 till 4 is standard at EGLL and never comes as a shock.
The increases in workload IMH experience have come about when people disregard the speeds given to them and...
i) a/c in front slows down too soon ( generally long haul/wide body problem) - I'm sat at 150ft waiting for landing clearance as they bumble off the runway (not nice when you've been on duty for 14hrs and you're landings are always dodgy anyway
)
ii) a/c behind slows down too late (short haul/narrow body problem) - you're having to stand on the brakes with your nose pressed against the windshield to make the first available exit so the guy behind doesn't have to GA.
The key here is maintaining the spacing that is given to us by ATC and if you want to deviate from that (and be a deviant
) then just tell them in plenty of time. Akin to the idiots that line up, get cleared for take off and then say "We need another minute." - aaarrrrrgggghhhhhh
