As a PPL and an ATCO, I can see both sides of the argument. London Information is a complete misnomer and a total waste of perfectly good frequencies. (With absolutely no disrespect intended to the good people who try very hard to provide it...is it punishment for shoplifting?.). Worried about your maday call?, leave 121.5 selected on your other box. Too many people are lulled into a false sense of security by 'Flight Information Service'. It never ceases to amaze me when pilots advise me indignantly of 'close ones' with other traffic when I'm providing them with FIS. I'm not necessarily using radar and our crystal ball is u/s. Education is the key, flying instructors should spell out the different types of Air Traffic Services and their limitations at an early stage and the Safety Sense Leaflet is good if you can find one. A visit to your local ATC unit is a good idea too. All the ATCO's at my unit are human and are generally happy to have visitors in the tower on a pre-arranged basis...especially if you bring cakes or single malts. It's really useful to see our job from the other side of the mike.
When I'm airborne, I always ask for RIS and 9 times out of 10 I get it too. Why? Not because of some ATC old boy network but because my RT is clear, concise and precise. As an ATCO, you are instinctively more inclined to provide a Radar service/zone transit if the initial call is from a good radio in standard RT phraseology.
"Er..er...Golf...Indigo..November..October..er...3 miles east, no west.. er...er..where are we Bob??....request Radar service and zone transit"...ain't gonna happen.
I thought it was great when the practical RT test was reintroduced...makes it safer for us all..and I was disappointed when AOPA etc. moaned about it. I'd even take it one step further, and require the RT test (like Air Law) before first solo. "Too much like hard work...we're only flying for fun" I hear you cry but the benefits far outweigh the workload. Nobody moans about doing the Driving Theory test before being let lose on the roads. I was already an ATCO when I started my PPL so RT was already 'in the bag'. Subsequently, I learnt loads more about actual hands on flying in my 40 hours. These days I hear people wasting their money at £85 per hour, using all their concentration to talk to me in a slightly technical language when they should be learning to fly. It still astounds me that intelligent, educated people struggle so much with RT. It really isn't difficult...learn the meanings of the standard words and phrases by heart (in the bath, driving to work etc....don't wait til you get in the aeroplane)...and memorise the list of things that need to be read back...simple as that! It is not rocket science. Incidentley, when I started my ATCO training, I had to do a written and practical RT test before I could get a Student ATC Licence.
One final point, NATS actually pays non state units to provide LARS, It's an air traffic SERVICE, of which you are the customer, get your money's worth! Even a limited RIS (due traffic) or a FIS with a squawk is better than just listening out....any ATCO worth their salt will do something when they see one of their own squawks about to attempt some airborne metalwork.
I feel much better for getting all that off my chest. Roger, over and out!