At Gatwick, we have a series of 'standard' pushback manoeuvres, unique to each parking position
However, sometimes these are varied by ATC, for instance if they want the aircraft to push far enough back to allow an inbound aircraft on to the same gate.
Same procedures at Luton - where the Airport Authority allocates the stand/gate and communicate this to ATC via a computer link.
...which the tug drivers have to know off by heart.
Same principle at Luton - except that some of the operators' ground staff/tug drivers don't seem to have learned or have forgotten what they're supposed to know about standard push-back directions!! This can cause ATC/GMC difficulties.
