Hi Tricat --

For another discussion on all this, see the post initiated on 7/20, concerning "USAirways pilots being forced to fly with less fuel." Or something like that.

I responded to this. And what I said, was, in essence --

I will NOT depart with less fuel than I am comfortable with. I will request more fuel if I think it's warranted. AND -- if the Dispatcher is reluctant to give it to me (VERY rare, at least at AA), I will DEMAND it. And -- get it.

The Federal Aviation Regulations charge the Pilot-in-Command (read -- Captain) with being totally responsible for the operation of the flight. That is absolute.

It doesn't matter what a bunch of bean-counters sitting safely at a desk in front of a computer screen think. We pilots are actually out on the front lines. We're the ones -- in the air -- who will be confronted with a possible low-fuel situation, if an unexpected hold or other delay occurs.. We're the ones who will possibly need to divert to another airport if we don't have enough fuel to land at our intended destination. And -- when that happens, all hell generally breaks loose. (Missed connections for passengers., disrupted schedule for crew members. And for what? Because the Company didn't want to load an additional 20 minutes of fuel onto the airplane?)

Bottom line -- I AM the Captain, and I will NOT depart with less fuel than I am comfortable with. Management be damned.

Cheers.

Cap'n Steve