niknak..you are joking when you say that area is not more challenging than twr yes?
If you're not joking then I suggest only one person here is delusional and that person definitely has no experience of area.
"Great unwashed in area" that statement speaks volumes about you and your attitude.
Before you ask....
Yes....I'm area.
Yes....I have a TWR ticket
Yes.... I've worked at a tower.
Yes.....The area course has historically been longer for a reason.
Yes......Lots of people at towers are bitter about TC/AC because they failed there and got shuffled off to a nice easy tower to validate.
Please don't take offence as I'm oiled at the moment but regarding your "great unwashed" statement a wise man once said " he who lives in a tower shouldn't throw stones"