...for explaining us how ATC could work:
All ATC in the US wants out of life is to get you out of their hair as quickly and safely as they can, which means getting you going in the right direction ASAP. Even if you have an EDCT, they are always trying to get you going early.
We have the opposite system here: (well said by ATC Watcher)
In the meantime relax, and accept that the ATC system is no longer there to serve you, as an individual pilot, but rather to try to serve the (sometimes conflicting ) needs of the whole aviation community.
Because it is perhaps hard for you to understand what is going on here in Europe one more quick example of our "slot system" ( I donīt take a safety issue this time
):
You are the only one at the airport early in the morning. You get a slot delay of 20 mins today. The tower controller is friendly. He lets you out at CTOT-7 (he is allowed only CTOT-5). You have unusual easterly wind and make unother 6 mins because of the departure rwy. Now you fly your 45 mins enroute at max speed max fuel flow. You make together with shortcuts another 4 mins. You approach direct with max speed and make another 5 mins to touchdown (you are again the only one). Now you are proud: you are 2 mins early !!
The sense of the 20 mins slot delay ? Nobody will be able to explain. Perhaps: "...it did serve the needs of the whole aviation community"
