but the cost of a new set of brakes is astronomical when compared to the fuel usage during moderate reverse thrust usage.
Not to mention the heat build up as the brakes absorb more stopping energy required when less than full reverse is used. With the tendency for quick turn arounds in low cost carriers, that heat has little time to dissipate by the time the next take off run commences. That leaves an unknown amount of already stored heat in the brakes in addition to the energy absorbed if a high speed heavy weight abort just happens to occur. Use of auto-braking as well as reduced reverse thrust (as against full reverse) on landing, all adds up to unnecessary brake heat build up which the next pilot may cop to his cost on the next leg. .