Okay, okay, okay......
I never have been an apologist but I'd like to address some of the replies to my earlier comment.
Longhauler, I too have experienced ATC in many different countries - from BOTH sides of the radar screen. I will not judge the expediency or professionalism of any one ATC based on one sector into or out of a particular aerodrome on any given day. What I will do is make an assessment of workload issues, regulatory constraints, airspace design, weather, and about a hundred other criteria before I leap in and declare one air trafficer better than another. The first aircraft I spoke to today was an abrupt - no dammit, he was downright rude - pilot from an unnamed airline. I certainly am not so petty as to taint the whole airline with that brush, but it IS human nature to remember such unpleasantness, and perhaps, subconsciously or not, fail to go the extra yard to conduct four extra pieces of coordination that you really don't have time to comfortably do the next time he comes along. Unprofessional, I don't think so, but I respect your opinion.
Going Boeing, you don't expect another company to contribute to your drinks and nibblies, but you do expect your company to fund subsidised travel for persons not employed by your airline? Again, an opinion only, but that strikes me as a dire double standard.
imnomaverick, Pyro is my middle name!
No Further Requirements, if you truly believe that ATC holds ANY brownie points whatsoever in Australia, you are sadly, sadly mistaken. And I can't deteriorate a non-existent relationship. Take a look at the other similar threads in here over the last three years. I would love to see this us and them mentality rectified, so in one regard we arguing the same thing. I also believe that socialising has a very important part to play in harmony. I'm not asking for a handout (though I think the token sum that 375ml is talking about would promote said harmony, and should certainly be reciprocated in kind), but an act of friendship that can be pointed at as an example of a worthwhile effort being made. Rest assured that I'll be raising this within ASA as well.
Reading back it's all a bit of airy-fairy drivel but I think you all get the picture. To reiterate (more for my own personal sake than yours!), the point I was trying to make (however ineloquently, and maybe with just a hint of windup in it), is that it appears to me that the aviation industry in Australia is so concerned with how ATC is trying to screw airlines and vice versa that no good relationship can ever be formed. At least not until the two parties BOTH take a step forwards to meet somewhere in the middle.
Adamastor