However on a more serious note, we have a laugh and a giggle at these interesting replies that we hear but are you surprised? The vast majority of foreign crews have no idea what different ATSOCAS are available in the UK. Such information is neither close to hand or easy to read when under time pressure during the pre flight stage or whilst en-route.
No, I'm not at all surprised. The confused and amusing responses are inevitable really given that the UK is so divorced from ICAO when it comes to ATS outside controlled airspace. I'm a firm believer in keeping things straightforward and personally I'd like to see much more controlled airspace introduced. The downside of course would be being denied the opportunity to chortle heartily at pilot's responses when the type of service question is posed.
