RADAR 707. "If I told you that you couldn't start for 20 mins due airfield congestion, and you were ready for your eobt, then I wouldn't update the eobt, simply because you might end up getting a massive slot delay, and that wouldn't be fair on you."
Technically not correct. If the aircraft is waiting for a CTOT then fine, the aircraft must wait unless there is an improvement. If you have delayed the aircraft, and EOBT+15 has been passed, then you must send a delay message and update the EOBT. If the aircraft picks up a CTOT then that is unfortunate, and you will need to send a RDY MSG. If there is no improvement, pick up the phone and speak to UKFMP - they can sometimes intervene and help. What you can't do is allow aircraft to start beyond EOBT+15 just becuase you think it is unfair. We have to consider the impact this could have on the sectors further down route. The traffic managers use a system called TLPD (Traffic Loading Prediction Device) which, as it sounds, predicts traffic loading in sectors at a certain time and is based on EOBTs. It is only as accurate as the information put into it. You must ask the airlines to update the EOBTs prior to them calling ready and do it yourself if they are delayed as a result of ATC.
GONZO
"Likewise, yesterday we increased our default taxi time due to the outbound delay."
What did you increase the taxi time to?