What I cannot understand is why the big operators out there don't join up and demand that the CTOT computer be shut down.
This is not only a question of time and $.
More importantly it is a question of safety.
How many of my colleagues out there can honestly say that you have never hurried through your preflight checks in a way that you otherwise never would, just to be able meet that ##@@**** slot.
Yes, we shouldn't let it affect us, but we all know what the consequences of a missed slot-time can be ( eg. duty time exceedance followed by crew-rest at the out-station while the pass. spend 10 hrs in the terminal ) and you will be the one explaining it all over the PA tomorrow.
I'm going to stick my neck out and say what I think this is really about : A number of jobs in Brussels for those who nurse thier CTOT software like a little baby.
Pull the plug.