Originally Posted by Continental520
a) there is no way for the controllers to easily know/incorporate each aircraft PTL into the job
Every aircraft arriving during the holding period (after departure from inside 800nm
) is required to obtain a PTL beforehand. So every aircraft is known by the system. Further, they are supposed to hit it within 10 minutes. Obviously there's going to be a bit of shuffling but, unless pilots are butting in, there shouldn't be too much holding because there will be a slot for each aircraft.
b) The system is designed outside most aircraft capability in that it requires 'to the second' accuracy, and creates a '30 second early/late' type error
True, but that is what speed control is for. FMS aircraft should be able to hit the FF time within a few seconds (assuming "the" time is when the minute changes over). For non-FMS types the job is a bit harder.
The FFs are far enough away to allow speed control to generate a couple of miles separation, either increased or decreased.
From where I sit, the system works pretty well. I don't get held nearly as much as before. Everybody has to do the right thing though.