A pilots perspective
From the pointy end I can tell you I have yet to meet an aviator that can see any valid reason for the point merge - or at least the version that we have in Dublin. And thankfully it is only on R28 although I understand its rollout to the other runways was delayed due to insufficient time to train the controllers.
Specifically:-
- we now have flight plans for the 1X (shorter arrivals) during non peak periods. However, ATC cannot ever clear you on a 1X so will always give the longer 1L. So as a pilot we naturally take the additional fuel in case we had to fly the full arrival
- there is now no such thing as a CDA into Dublin. Whereas previously we could be cleared from around Anglesey or Fishguard direct to the centre fix for R28 we now have to fly level and slow at either FL70 or FL80. The engines are no longer at idle and with the power up then we are literally p*ssing away good fuel. Only then for the 3rd controller to give us direct to the CF or a 7 mile final.
- even when you are arriving at 5am in the morning and no.1 with no other traffic within 50nm you are still expected to fly at least part of the arrival until one of the controllers finally gives up the party political line and gives in to our repeated requests for either a tight vector or direct to a CF depending on which runway is in use.
- and lets not even start to get into the comms failure procedures which are a minefield depending on where you are in the arrival sequence.
We don't need point merge in Dublin or anywhere in Ireland for that matter. What we need is ATC bosses who insist on standard speeds - 250kt below FL100, 220 on base, 180 on LOC and 160 to 4 then it would be fine and dandy. Instead they seem to allow slower traffic to dictate the entire sequence or a jet that unilaterally decides that he wants to slow up. Instead this traffic should be told to fly an agreed speed or else given a dogleg vector and following traffic to overtake. Also separation needs to be reduced - the current 7nm is ridiculous. Just look at how LGW is able to utilise its single runway much better. And Dublin actually has two runways with R34 in the early mornings and still they are not a patch on the Brits.
Last edited by MCDU2; 29th May 2013 at 11:37.