has this got anything to do with fudging the numbers so they can get the FL they want? Wouldnt be the first operator to do this
No.
They are not some evil group of pilots that all get together after work and scheme to get desired flight levels. If they have been out by 7 mins I'm pretty sure it would have been a cock-up and taken seriously. It certainly doesn't happen often, or on purpose.Next conspiracy theory please.......