"... ACARs is the final arbiter ... Out ... times.... it's all ACARs...."
That does bring to mind a possible safety threat, where a station (non-licensed management) could impact SAFETY in a desire to preserve an ON TIME "out" event.
The possible threat could result when a local agent, manager, or ramp-controller tells the pilots
"its OK to RELEASE BRAKES", before ramp personnel are finished. The agent or manager (unlicensed) might have no idea of the other requirements that the pilots are obligated to observe (under-aircraft clear). The local station might want the pilot to generate the false OUT event, to make their local managers look better (extra $$ for on- time departures).