Wee Jock,
Agree totally although I'm not sure combining FC and ATC is the way. I would add that the TacATC dudes (I'm not sure if these are the guys in TCW or not) are excellent.
I've always been confused as to how ATC have escaped the contractorisation scourge for so long. Certainly LATCC and SCATCC engage in little if any work that couldn't be done by civvies, and the amount of ATC officers in HQ Air Cmd is rediculous. Perhaps therein lies the answer as to why they've escaped cutbacks! However, when it is considered what has been put out for tender, it seems incongrous they've escaped. It strikes me the ATC branch should be reduced in size and the thrust of their training widened considerably to at least include the basics of operational tasks.
Just to reiterate to the ATC dudes out there: I have no beef with you individually. However, your branch appears to be mired in a peacetime mindset.