Once I was foolish enough to succumb to accepting min jet plan fuel!
Asked for gear at 2000 feet on the ILS with 2100kgs remaining on my 737-300 (this amount would be normal if on min fuel). Behold only two greens!!!!! Go-around flown then after checks, gear recycled - still two greens!
The F/O checked the nose gear and mains through the looking glass. Nose gear was OK but the main wheel glass was dirty or obscured. Fuel now 1300Kgs!!!!! Mayday declared and NITS to CC for emergency landing - no time for a fly by! Attempted to recycle one more time and behold 3 lovely green lights.
Immediate approach made and landed with 900Kgs.
Our arses were somewhat tight on that one!
My point should be obvious! More fuel and we needn't have rushed and would have had more time to be sure. If we didn't get our three greens then drastic action would have been necessary!
At least we wouldn't have burned though!!!
Never again!