but until the likes of Fairoaks and more importantly, Farnborough are afforded Classified Airspace protection
Now there is something that we agree on. However, while you seem to only think in terms of Class A, most pilots will have experience of every airspace class and based on that experience, it is clear that Class E would be the best solution in this case.
I was not talking about experience of individual ATCO performances but the system as a whole.
As for the Expect onward clearance time - Sure no problem - give an EOC time an hour away from the ETA at the fix. Then sit back and wait for the "we can hold until (..time...) before diverting."
We ask for DS not because we think that TC will always provide it but because a) our ops manual requires it and b) any subsequent investiagtion which dwells on the issue will revolve round the refusal of the service rather than the fact that it was never asked for.
However, that is irrelevant with Farnborough clutch departures since one would reasonably expect that a flight being held outside with an EOC time 30 mnutes away would be working Farnborough who can and will provide a DS rather than being limited to a BS with TC.
Regards,
DFC