LL
I think that you're still missing the point a little bit. Easterlies CANNOT be employed simply because you, I or anyone else thinks that it may be quieter. There is a very real and tangible safety implication on the choice of runway in use. In the tower, we are very lucky in that (as yet) we are not yet governed by the airlines or the locals as to which end we should be landing on. It remains the decision of ATC and we make it based on the surface wind at the aerodrome, or IF THE WIND IS CALM (and I think that this may be the time that you're thinking of) we use the upper winds, for the benefit of a stable consistent approach. Easterly ops are not an answer to the perennial question of noise at EGLL.
In answer to the other questions, the Cranford agreement is still in place and the SIDs at Heathrow are there for noise abatement and are only to be deviated from is safety is an issue. This does not legislate for SAS pilots flying dodgy BPK's though.
