Flap 5:
Good point, it is the same for us but as in previous years our Dispatchers are required to put a comment on the new release amendment, such as "Cont. fuel increase per Captain's request".
We have several new Dispatchers and there is no doubt that the supervisors "lean on them".
The reported events at USAirways look really bizarre and there must be more to the story.
Stay tuned until next week.