OA and Bookworm
I am quoting official documents - if you read my thread carefully you will see that I say that ATCOs want as much as you can give us - we do not and cannot, take into acount factors affecting rate of turn for individual A/C on specific days which include, speed, weight, control restrictions, humidity, altitude etc etc.
And yes, loss of separation IS a big thing - the minima are there to provide a buffer - it should be maintained at all times if possible - if controllers only had to control one aircraft, then this buffer could no doubt be reduced - but controlling aircraft in 10s, 20s or more over a vast airspace (2000 square miles is often norm including the height band) means that the buffer is essential.
if we were blase about the minima and thought as long as they don't collide I'm okay, then there would be collisions! That i am afraid is a fact and is why we have MINIMA!!