M.Mouse,
I agree with your comments re. the difference between competency and experience - Like I said, hindsight is a wonderful thing, I don't envy the situation the crew found themselves in at all. I don't fly, you do, and I think we both feel the same about these guys,
There IS huge pressure from management in many companies not to carry excessive amounts of fuel.
And sometimes, that pressure adds to the situation, which may well be the case here.
PHX