The arrogance of ATCOs
Many non-atc ers on here are thinking that ATCOs are arrogant and we have a that will never happen attitude. This could not be further from the truth. Yes something like that might happen, but not as portrayed by the BBC.
The "arrogant" attitude coming across is in fact a case of if we dont shout from our corner nobody will. The BBC portrayed us as a group of people who sit back and let things happen. We do not, as yellow snow has pointed out above there are procedures that are ammended by proactive controllers to prevent such occurances.
It was pointed out above that the turn on the missed approach is 1500ft or 0 DME which ever is later, that is correct. It was also stated that the turn is not guarenteed, also correct. However a go-around is also not guarenteed - i have seen many a non-uk airline land after being instructed to go-around. Not much in ATC is guarenteed, however what i can guarentee you is we do our best to prevent this from happening!