AYC
My original post was really in answer to the immediately preceding post, where it was asked
In HKG, nothing is specified so how much is comfort factor?
I answered that using LHR and others as examples. Now I operate into LHR as my home base and have for the last 18 years. I consider that I know it pretty well having landed there about 1800 times and only having diverted twice and on both occasions having had in excess on 1 hours holding capability!
If by you saying that I am a 'Company Man', you mean that I wish to make sound commercial decisions, then I agree with you, for that is what I endeavour to do, to make the best commercial decision using all tools at my disposal - knowledge, gut feeling, statistics etc in order to maximise profit and hence secure my job into the future.
Yes, sometimes that can 'stretch' the comfort zone as to load an 'extra' 45 minutes fuel over and above statistical contingency means offloading payload, but that is what we are paid for, to use our superior knowledge to avoid having to use our superior skills. After all, loading extra fuel only delays the point at which you have to make the decision to commit or divert, and as I said, on both occcasions I had to divert from LHR, we had >1 hour holding capacity!
In my company, at least, the days of adding a 'tonne for mum' have long since gone - rightly so. If I think I need extra fuel I will load it, no questions asked.
As to fuel ladders, what are they, I have never seen them, although I believe that you can see your position on a list if you get a special code. I have never bothered, nor will I, and I have never been challenged on any decision I have made.