Originally Posted by
pax britanica
All the plans re point merge etc will come to nothing unless the affected residents concerns are dealt with. LHR management do not seem to understand this , a couple of years ago they trial new departure routings causing an outcry in the affluent (and therefore influential outer suburbs around Ascot Camberley Bracknell areas. They never consulted people in these areas where there are lots and lots of inbound and outbound overflights but did consult people in places like Ashford and Staines which although theyare very much closer to LHR they are so close that nothing overflies them .
This project seemed similar to point merge with less vectoring and more planned 'fixed' approaches . removing the scattering effect of vectoring some people got almost every South/south west bound departure over them where previously it was just some. The latter was acceptable the former was not.
If point merge has similar effects you can forget introducing it because this part of the world to the west of LHR and West london to the east will just not allow it and both areas are inhabited by armies of lawyers , consultants and many airline personnel who can make more noise in Government circles than LHR can. And I woudl stress that many of them like em are not NIMBYS , they knew very well where LHR was went they moved to the area and it is a convenient and valuable asset. They dont mind a bit of noise but no one wants to be right under a fixed routing . So without an honest consultation with the neighbours you can forget any changes to LHR routings however clever.
An example of LHR and NATS management idiocy was arguing with member of the public at a large open meeting in Bagshot. They patronised and argued with the gentleman concerned until he revealed his occupation-BA A320 captain for 15 years -during which time he had flown god only new how many Midhurst and SAMPTON departures from LHR. Instant destruction of all credibiltiy of the proponents of change.
Chevron, pax Britannia, nimbyism in full effect. The counter argument is, until those residents accept that the Airport should be able to change its flight paths then ATC will remain in the dark ages. How long has Heathrow been there, when did you move
Pax?? The A320 captain would not of been smiling had someone who knew what they were talking about been at the presentation.