EGLL AUTO
 

So, I can't really figure out this EGLL AUTO thing on METARs even though it was semi-explained in a previous post.

In the middle of the night there aren't enough controllers at EGLL tower so the SAMOS goes to AUTO for a max of two hours? How come Gatwick or Manchester don't use AUTO on SAMOS in the middle of the night?

At Heathrow, controllers do not operate the SAMOS. The assistant in our Flight Clearance unit does that, and as there's only one of them there the whole night, they need a break for two hours.

datafox.. All comes down to penny-pinching. Utterly disgusting..

OK, with that said then at Gatwick, Manchester, etc., METAR's do not go into AUTO because controllers operate SAMOS and they do not go on break?

Just trying to understand.

It used to be the case that at Gatwick it is very quiet at night (not as quiet as Heathrow):) so the ATSA did not take a break as there is enough time between the two minutes every half hour that it takes to produce a METAR to put their feet up.:ok:

Manchester has two ATSAs on nights.....for the time being:hmm:
watp,iktch

There are two ATSA's who prepare the METARS on a night shift at Gatwick so there is no need for Auto METARS.