I still fail to see why a guy working approach can't give a reasonably accurate indication of track miles from perhaps 6-8000ft (20-30 miles etc) so that we drivers can hit our energy gates in an efficient and accurate fashion.
Of course it could be done better- most involved understand that. However, the Dinosaur Dane in charge of ATM is not up to the job- and worse, won't allow any input from anyone who might have a clue. He actively makes chamges that
reduce the ability of ATC to manage traffic flow. His experience is from the the 70s (the Copenhagen donut system, for christ sake!!). He understands nothing about modern ATM, and until he moves on, nothing will change. This topic arises annually or so, but until someone high up realises how much money is wasted by this bluff-and-bluster master of "ATC by excell", let the disorganised flow continue. The controllers are just working with what they are given.