Oicur 12,
The European flow system is that CMFU at Brussels issues slots to operators everyday,based on the estimated off blocks time,and whatever the delays are for that day.It is the companies responsibilty to make sure the a/c meets that slot.The slots are usually -5/+10 mins.ATC makes sure that he gets to the hold to make the slot.At airports we really don't care what level they are looking for.Those are allocated according to the traffic situation once airborne.
Hong Kong,
There are a list of restrictions,Bekolblockages,Dotmi whatever that are based on a/c so many minutes apart at a certain level.CDC has no idea until you call whats the delay,because there could be 4 at once all going the same way.If the Mainland have slapped on one every 20 mins,often with just one level available,then you call in number 4 then it's 1 hour delay just like that.Bekol is based on overflights at crusing levels.Total Bul
it
The poor sod on CDC has people screaming whats the delay,whilst trying to work out all this C
p from the mainland.The red writing on strips with not before times,or Gweilo Airlines 999 +10 mins has to be seen to be believed.But then suddenly it can all change if the Mainland lifts the restriction.
It is one of the most god awful ways I have ever seen to run a railroad.The classic was through Bekol where a B744 had to be 15,16,17 mins behind a A340 depending on who was on t'other side of border.WHY? It a 12+hour flight to London,so the 744 is just going to overtake the A340 a bit later.The 744 crew will still be off the plane by the time the A340 gets there.Yet night after night CDC has to put these restrictions on.In Europe they would have a certain radar separation going through Bekol,and the final cruising levels are up to you Mr Mainland controller.Sort it out yourself.
The WHOLE system needs scrapped otherwise your delays will just grow and grow.