Vortex -
The time to wield 'the big stick' is in two or three years time when traffic growth is booming across the pond ('cause that's where the big bucks come from) and every one is flush with cash.
One small problem. We have an Economic Regulator who simply won't allow NATS to be "flush with cash". Their whole job is to drive down NATS charges. The more profit we make the less we will charge will be the mantra from ERG. NATS will simply not be allowed to pay lots of extra cash to the staff and add it on to the charges - that was the whole point of this PPP nonsense.
You say there is no point in bleating. Well while the Government are major shareholders there is every point in bleating. The public, through HM Government, still own the largest part of NATS. Your MP still has a say and so do the Ministers.