Originally Posted by
sharpend
...arriving at the wrong time or worse still, arriving without a slot...
Times and slots are recommended and advisory, but - sensibly - not rigidly enforced. Of course it's a good idea to be as close to your planned slot time as you can - since arrivals will be spread out if everyone achieves it, but it's hardly a hanging offence if you don't.
From the Sywell email confirming your slot:
The slot system is intended to promote a smooth distribution of
traffic throughout the day; if you miss your slot e.g. due to a
weather delay, do not worry - [you] will not be turned away.
Do your best, but don't give up and stay away if e.g. you have to move more aircraft out of the way in the hangar than you'd anticipated in order to get your own aircraft out.
Also, when you do read and digest
the procedure you'll see it's actually very straightforward. The length of the doc is mostly due to the need to provide background context, and the need to cater for different wind directions to 2 runways in simultaneous use.
There's too much scaremongering in this thread, IMO.
It would be
worse, not better, if everybody was calling at multiple points around the hold and the approach.
Oshkosh manages many times more aircraft every year with a similar technique - why can't we? (A: We can).
Have fun, stay safe, follow the procedure accurately, see you there.