WEDGE,
West Drayton is still very much in use. Only our en-route friends are at the fareham sanitorium whilst the spectacularly Understaffed and overworked Terminal Control remains in sunny WD. The delays publicised in recent days are no doubt real and don't expect things to improve in the near future. Despite the chronic staff shortages TC continues to shift the metal at the fastest and SAFEST rate we can manage. Yes, sometimes it gets too busy and using the "staff shortage" message for flow control restrictions does get the attention of those upstairs but the problem has been brewing for years and as you can imagine, Valid controllers do not grow on trees. The safety record of UK ATC is a testament to the professionalism of our ATCO's who continue to do a world class job in a complex environment where at times the airspace and controller's are pushed to the limits of their capacity. The last thing any of us want to see is a disaster in the UK but things must change with regard to staffing levels or one day, one of us will come unstuck.
