easy had to return to the tinminal as it was low on fuel!
BLIMEY that must have been some wait at the holding point! It must have been dinner time in the tower!
As for departure separation, the idea is that by the time the 2nd outbound contacts the London TMA, there will be a minimum of 3 miles horizontal and/or 1000ft vertical separation between the two on the same or similar routes and not catching up the flight ahead. A big issue with parallel taxiways to the end of the departing runway and in Luton's case, intersection and full length departures. No good departing an ATR ahead of an Airbus! My source is wikibeardia!
Hopefully Mr Bust has on order some ear plugs come March 12th 2009! The future is P-RNAV according to NATS and its current consultation!