Firstly, if it’s special handling where is that written down? There are multiple methods for notifying operators about local procedures and what to expect. Secondly, if the whole operation needs to stop to make a gap - exactly what they’d need to do if there was a go around, in both cases there’s 1 extra aircraft in the sequence and a single gap lost - then the operation needs rethinking. Making a gap is something every trainee approach controller learns to do.
FAA AIM
3-2-1 c)
IFR Separation. Standard IFR separation is provided to all aircraft operating under IFR in controlled airspace.
3-2-3 a)
Class B Airspace […]
An ATC clearance is required for all aircraft to operate in the area, and all aircraft that are so cleared receive separation services within the airspace.
5-5-12 A2) Visual Separation Pilot Responsibilities If instructed by ATC to follow another aircraft or to provide visual separation from it,
promptly notify the controller if you lose sight of that aircraft, are unable to maintain continued visual contact with it, or
cannot accept the responsibility for your own separation for any reason.
Is (at least) 40 minutes notice not counted as prompt? ATC for whatever reason were
not willing (and/or able) to provide standard IFR separation to the DLH. I’ve yet to find anything written down that removes the responsibility from ATC at KSFO (do feel free to provide that info - it may well be out there). All they were willing to offer was for the DLH to provide their own separation. It’s a bit like going to a restaurant and being told if you want your meal cooked for you by the chef it’s at least an hours wait before you can even order, but you’re welcome to go through to the back and cook for yourself now!
…and even if you don’t agree with all that for whatever reason, we’re still back to the question of what the delay actually was and why it wasn’t transmitted to the pilot. I ask again, what is the correct quantity of extra fuel to uplift for a delay of 10 minutes, that keeps increasing by another 10 minutes every quarter of an hour?