Was this trying to 'start late' on an Advance ticket?

[Ferret]

ATOC are there to ensure consistency and that there is a common standard throughout the industry.

So they've failed on this particular matter then, plain and simple!

TOCs dictate to ATOC. Not the other way round. ATOC are merely there to absorb the input of its members, form a common standard (signed off and agreed by its members!) and put material out as a trade association.

'Form a common standard' - they haven't!

However, if it is more edifying and convenient for posters to blame ATOC (a faceless body that has no agenda other than to convey the wishes of its members), and not the TOCs themselves who have actually formed these opinions or policy, then be my guest. It's incredibly unhelpful though.

No, it's entirely accurate to blame the respective TOCs *AND* ATOC for allowing this situation to happen.

Now, I don't really care if a couple of TOCs get together and suggest removing that condition and then bring that forward to a meeting for other member TOCs to agree, or whether ATOC's own employees suggest it at such a meeting for the member TOCs to consider - so long as one of those situations comes to pass and the pointless condition is removed. What is really incredibly unhelpful is the status quo where nobody knows where they stand!