RW,
Re “A pilot who has just landed on a waterlogged runway has a better understanding of the runway condition than a pilot waiting to take-off.
The assumption in this is how his perception relates to yours. How can you relate landing performance with pre takeoff assessment; wt, aircraft type, brake and reverser selection and use, tyre condition.
“… crosswind … has the margin of error in wind reporting been considered; how close is this to being just within a limit. Similarly with braking action; would the safety margin or decision change with a slightly lower braking action.
The world is not perfect, not without risk, never ‘ideal’; safety is about how these imperfections are managed, the use and application of knowledge.
Management’s view of OTD has no value in your defence.