ATCO TWO and all...
"the system has become a lot less flexible since the instigation of the CFMU."
Its not the system that has become less flexible. If the operators were to file TRUE EOBT's, amend EOBT's when requested to do so and, not update EOBT's 5 mins before or after the original CTOT then the system would be more flexible. KEEP IT REAL.
Some should try reading the Air Pilot and the CFMU Handbook.
Slot swapping is possible (but it is not as simple as it may seem) providing ALL criteria is the same with the two flights. Nine times out of ten when an airfield requests a "swap" we find differences with the flights concerned. If we can accomodate a change we WILL.
There are other methods to improve/ amend slots:-
1. Certain airfields have CTOT allowances to allocate additional time on top of the allocated CTOT. Believe it or not hundreds of slot extensions above the -5/+10 are allocated daily.
2. Talk to the FMP concerned and explain any problems, remebering once again to KEEP IT REAL as we have heard all the yarns in the book. Again slot extensions can be allocated in some cases.
3. Talk to the CFMU hepldesk. It's what we are here for.
Rememeber Flow Control is for your safety.