nomorecatering:
....why are we still bothering with HF for trans oceanic flying
Because ATS have got to have some method for keeping pilots awake on long oceanic sectors, in between the times you are being served tea by gorgeous flight attendants!
Ha Ha!
Pilots have nothing to complain about because at least they enjoy the advantage of SELCAL ie they only have to listen to HF when they're (sel)called from the ground or they initiate the communication.
Take pity on the poor ATS guys who have to listen to up to 6 HF frequencies CONTINUOUSLY (ie no SELCAL) for a whole shift.
Nothing hastens one's retirement like constant harrassment by HF static on 6 frequencies at a time - intermingled with the inane jabbering of a million Asian HF operators all trying to talk on the same frequency at once!
Ah, those were the days!
