New Manchester Push Procedures
Just heard that the good old cardinal points of the compass are no longer to be used when issuing a non standard push back clearance at Manch. Apparently the new system will use a selection of pre determined geographic places that will be used instead?
Perhaps the ATCOs on the front line think that this is a better system? I know it is early days but I can't help but think that this is making matters more complicated with extra R/T loading plus, what is ultimately non standard phraseology for non English native speakers.
If this gets a thumbs down from the ATCOs, then would you appreciate us doing what we can through our reporting channels etc? If there has been misaligned push backs in the past, then surely this is down to the handling agent not ensuring that their tug crews know their North from their South etc and not ATC?