On a different note, can I bring up something that I think needs discussion.
ATC delays to PEK/PVG.
I understand that a clearance cannot be coordinated through ZGGG until the aircraft reports ready in HKG. BUT, why can ATC (often a female who goes out of her way to unhelpfull) often not give an estimate "until you call ready" when there are other aircraft waiting for the same destination and have been for hours in some cases. Surely if the previous aircraft has been waiting 2 hours then we will be waiting a similar length of time but she never offers this info - "you have to report ready" . Also, why isnt there any communication between ATC and KA wrt delays. I am perplexed that a KA crew can call for a clearance with "any delays today?" when previous aircraft have been sitting for hours. This info is something that should have been disseminated back at briefing. Also, I have seen Dotmi restrictions of 11400m only, not accepting other levels (rare I know but it has happened). A 321 with return fuel for PVG cannot get to 1140 by dotmi even with rocket assitance so why dont atc and KA coordinate this sort of stuff and maybe go single sector fuel. KA have telephones, atc have telephones - is there a line that connects the two. This rant is against the system - KA are equelly to blame but its pathetic the lack of coordination that occurs day in and day out and never really gets any better.
Also, does anybody know which aircraft were flying around HKG yesterday with callsigns of "shepard xx" and "jackpot xx" both american accents.