The Cali example was mentioned because if you had a lower idle than flight idle, they would not have got the response they needed from the engines when they banged on full power. The question was about cutting fuel flow to promote lower idle fuel consumption. You simply pour fuel into an engine, and it responds at the rate of fuel supply. I was explaining that trying to reduce flight idle speed would have a corresponding effect on throttle response.
Why the hell is there no 'Speedbrake out/throttles not in idle' warning on the 757? That would probably have saved them. The 737 has it.