ANSA,agree with your comments, this post is for you and all the rest of the hardworking guys and gals at the centre and Dubai.
Emirates pilots read on, you have a shocking reputation at both EGLL and EGKK. Your R/T is sloppy, words have to be repeated, taxi instructions are read back wrongly and your performance on the runways is, shall I say compensated for. I know for a fact that at EGKK you are NEVER slotted in for departure in a 6 mile gap.The tower controller rings radar and asks for a 7 miler, just using the word EMIRATES.
Stop criticising ATC here, we are doing the best we can, with crap procedures, shortage of staff, and low pay.
To make matters worse, Emirates are actually the BEST operators at the airport in Dubai, perhaps now a few of you "gods" can see what we are dealing with on an everyday basis.
Nobody wants a thread to get into a slanging match, but I reckon ATC in the middle east deserve some respect. I work harder here than I ever did in the UK, you ask a UK ATCO to sit in a busy position for 2 and a half hours without a break, then just get half an hour off, the air would be blue. Things are better in the UK, but not due to the skills of the controller, but because they have excellent procedures, good staffing levels,good equipment and good management support who back them if and when the need arises.
GCAA could learn a thing or two. Only mention what its like in the UK, as thats what I know, sure it is the same in other 1st worls countries.