eharding: the point I was making was that the radio operator said 'no traffic' when there obviously was (albeit descending into the ATZ from high level!) My friend was aiming to pass above the ATZ but just thought a courtesy call might be helpful. There were other issues that my mate told me about which I don't wish to discuss, but resulted in an official complaint to the CAA, and apparently not the first one about this particular radio operator.
And no I haven't got a 'downer' on them, I'm an A/G radio examiner hence I know what standards I expect them to maintain.