senior dispatcher
for a moment, we will assume that the american flight departed with ''legal'' fuel.
not more, not less.
anyone who goes to any airport has to at least consider a runway closure due to an emergency ahead of your flight.
so, you tell me...why didn't american take another two hours of fuel...or even thirty more minutes...or whatever you would think is right?
why?
now, my OUTFIT, still allows us to gas up as we can justify...not just for fun, but no problem.
other outfits might not be as lucky.
so, why didn't american take more fuel...as you MIGHT know, most of us are paid by the minute...if we have to hold, we actually earn MORE money.
I'm sure the american captain made it as clear as he could...either give me runway 31 right or I declare an emergency and take it myself.
the controller could have said, I will give you 31 right...fly runway heading to 2000' turn and enter the downwind...clear to land 31right.
but he didn't...DID HE?
so, in a rare moment, an airline pilot made good on his word.