Lowerlobe will you kindly enlighten us all as to how you can avoid any taxy delays in NY. Do we close the door and push back, stop the airport and get priority in your perfect world? How else do you expect to depart NY - you have to be in the line to do so. You suggest that the aircraft is taxied around for fun all for the purpose of making the operation illegal and shafting the cabin crew. When all the pax are on board and cargo loaded we close the door and push back if it is departure time. The ground crew strive hard for this as the company focus is on delays at the moment, and their performance is measured on the amount of on time departures in many cases. For them departure is when the aircraft is loaded and doors are closed. If all is ready to go, why is it unreasonable to close the doors and push the aircraft back?
We get an idea of the delays, but these are never accurate. The last time I did the sector the plan gave us the fuel and the option of flying fast in order to get to LA in time to satisfy duty times as well as minimise the onwards delay to Sydney. This plan allows you to save a significant amount of time and costs the company lots of fuel. The sector times are planned on significant time on the ground. We know what the cabin crew duty limits are, and will also enforce them. If we make a decision to do otherwise, the operation becomes illegal and ulitmately it is our licence on the line.
You have an agenda and are happy to spread misinformation and drivel in order to do so. Making serious allegations against individuals without any fact to back them up is a dangerous game.