The PTL system is a long way from perfect. I relies on voluntary compliance with the PTL to reduce holding during the peak times. Most operators have figured that the PTL is not enforced so they just depart anyway. Some have done the right thing and delayed their departure for 40 mins only to cop another 30min delay airborne are are not happy about it so next time they just depart and take a chance. It has had some good results in reducing overall holding and workload times. No one wants to go back to the bad old days of 30mins+ holding every Tues,Wed,Thur but as said above it relies on voluntary compliance with PTLs.
ATC is not an exact science. Every aircraft is flown slightly differently and are impossible to predict accurately down to the second on every day. Everyone has a different idea on how they will meet there feeder fix time. Some will continue at planned cruise speed, reduce to 210 on descent then increase to 250 crossing the FF. Some will reduce speed in the cruise and descend at profile speed some will do a mixture of both. Hence the problems that are encountered with the slow down/ speed up instructions. We are acutely aware that you hate this and try to avoid it at all cost but somedays shi!ts are trumps and that the only way to get you down. The only other solution is to vector you for long finals like they do in the US and apply speed control to achieve the sequence. This is probably the most effecient way of maximising runway usage but it increases fuel burn as it is not the most effecient way for aircraft to lose time.
This thread has amused me a little as we have the turbo driver telling us they can maintain maximum to 5nm so they should be no1 followed by the jet driver complaining about a turbo being put infront of them and they could have burnt them off in descent so they should be no1. The reality is that some days you are the statue and somedays you are the pigeon.
Servo You suggest they may be favourtism for the local operators. I can assure you there is no favouritism but occasionally the locals might get something. Because they are locals, they are familar with the procedures/airspace/configurations etc and we feel that we can rely on them not to stuff it up because of this.
The upshot of all this is.. you must complain/submit ASIR (not to the controller on air, they can't do anything) if you have complied with your PTL and cop a significant airborne delay. The only way things change is if industry complain then something might get done.
Last edited by willadvise; 11th Apr 2011 at 22:43.