Huh?
...back in the days when flight crew had complete control of the safe operation of an aircraft."
Hmmm, the license these flight crew held certainly required the full authority for carrying more fuel, yet the Captain chose not to do so.
Quite frankly, having operated into Girona more than a few times (yes, at night, stormy weather etc), it would seem that the operating crew in question stuffed it up rather badly...a lesson for all, to actually pay attention to what the hell they are doing.
A bit more experience in the RHS wouldn't hurt either.