Slots, Slots and more Slots...
I recently had an irate AMM pilot who seemed to think that the 5mins before and 10 mins after are for the pilots benefit.
The pilot in question called for push/start two minutes after his slot time. When told that there was no way that he would make his slot as there was a stream of inbounds and two at the hold he said that he could get to the hold in time and if we could not clear him for take off in his slot it was our problem.
We understand (and have verified) that the slot window is for ATC benefit and that planes should be at the hold in time for the slot time and the 15 min window is for us to get you away depending on traffic.
Is this a common understanding by pilots or was he just having a bad day?
Answers please!!!