Bright-Ling,
Over the last few years I've arranged and carried ATCO's on the jumpseat for fam flights. I strongly beleive it's a good exercise for both parties.
Since 9/11 the DfT (formerly DETR) and CAA revised the UK flight deck access rules. The airlines had to fall in line with the new policy, like it or not.
My current understanding is that you can be carried on the flight deck on a formally arranged Fam Flt as long as it does not enter US airspace. Under FAA rules imposed to all carriers (was always so for US carriers anyhow), ATCO's are NOT allowed access to the flight deck. So those of you who enjoyed Virgin/BA jollies etc States side, under FAA order it can't any longer happen
As for the rest, it is now a lengthy admin process, that makes the scheme far more cumbersome than ever. Before I was able to arrange fams directly for ATCO's, following management approval and of course the operating Capt's if I was sending them with someone other than myself. Indeed I could even issue the ticket from my own Capt's stock, making the whole process relatively straight forward. That's all stopped, and red tape galore and the need for several dept's to become involved exist.
As slink pointed out, our own wives etc are now considered too much of a risk!! There are those that under such circumstances have the thought process of, "well if my wife can't travel, then neither can anyone!". Whilst I don't fall into that category, I understand those that do, it's a 'fight' against the 'system'. It's not too different to those ATCO's that won't do a Fam because management won't let them do it in work time. Again I unnderstand where the sentiment comes from.........
I hope this sheds some light on the subject, albeit a sadly fading one........ If you want a fam, I'll take you, but be warned I'm not LL or KK based, although that's not stopped plenty of TC, and en-route folk coming with me over the time.
Best regards
30W