I remember the fire in LHR. Now, some might think that is a disaster and it's time to panic, but I don't. Stansted, Gatwick, Luton, Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham are some of the options. And with the fuel mentioned above plenty to keep you going.
Certainly don't remember anyone panicing - and you are correct, STN/LGW/LTN/BRS/CWL and BHX was exactly where EVERYONE was going, hope you get the point!
I'm curious to know under what circumstances anyone would choose the other runway as an "alternate" assuming the weather was good..?
I don't think they would, that is my point with regards to reality...and considering the NATS approval we needed to use LHR and would I be right in saying there was a FODCOM asking for at least 20 minutes holding fuel during arrival in peak periods in LON?!? Don't do 'Peak Periods' anymore!!!!!
Cheers
JB