Manc...you are right to highlight that these things are more within the grasp of those companies and professionals than perhaps my previous post suggested at first glance. I have little doubt that all six interested parties ( if thats how it turns out) would work hard to ease the transition issues, although none of us should underestimate the effect of commercial jealousy once things pan out against certain contractors... Who knows? Whatever, such a scenario certainly increases the complication and decreases the transition management efficiencies, with a resultant increased risk that things will not go smoothly. Bearing in mind that new aircraft types (with associated delays) may also be part if the solution ( look at what happened with Interim here for some clues), then there is more risk in such a managed process involving a large number if contractors. After all if any contractor has a contract end or start date... That's what has to be achieved and stuck to.
Equally I think TC is right to raise the prospect of the DfT potentially realising
that these issues do need some degree of rationalisation...I fear however they have built a competitive environment locked on a course governed by immutable EU competitive jurisdiction... So their room for manoeuvre may be limited.
As for keeping the SK on.. A wise owl in the MOD is no doubt keeping a close eye on this possibility...although I have little doubt the DfT will do it's utmost
to avoid such a situation occurring.
It's going to be an interesting initial 18 months....
..and then beyond