Originally Posted by pax britanica
would that have been the Heathrow Director handling these flights given the location?
That would have been Heathrow Number 2 Director on 120.4 in TC Swanwick.
Once when I was doing Number 2 with about seven off we lost both runways simultaneously (for different reasons - can't remember why) so couldn't switch any to the departure runway. Couple of missed approached back to the hold, and spun the rest. Have to start the orbits from the back though! Just sat there for about ten minutes watching them going round in circles on intermediate approach. Not difficult, that's why we do TRUCE. It's all about maintaining spare capacity for such unforeseen circumstances. Vectoring routine traffic in the groove over the same streets is the easy bit, just have to make sure you don't nod off…
Yes, all in a day's work...