They were brilliant to me I seem to remember - I was going abroad and wanted to do some flying there - they issued the licence over the counter after a call to explain the special circumstances. It should of course be for a genuine reason other wise it seems unfair to be given priority. They seem now to be happy to issue an intial IMC rating on the same day, as well as a revalidation, so long as the paperwork is there before 11. Well done FCL. Maybe this only applies to ratings being added to the PPL though. Good luck. Oh, and FCL is at Gatwick, follow the perimeter road to the bee hive!, and you can 'phone them.
[ 13 August 2001: Message edited by: Fuji Abound ]