only to get airborne and hear very little on frequency.
That might be quite high on the stupid comment scale!
You do realise that the
regulating sector can be at any point in your flight, and maybe not even in Austria?
I used to work at a TWR/APP way up north of the artic circle, and "often" had to hold aircraft for up to 2 hrs....even if if was the only one, and maybe one of 5-6 in in each sector all the way down Norway on a quiet Saturday afternoon.
All because of because of staff shortage at London ACC!
If you are on a short domestic flight, then fair comment, and I'll crawl under my rock again.