411A:
So very true, from the days of the thrust cutbacks at 800aal in the 707 (been there, done that) until today...and it ain't gonna change.
Life does indeed go on.
Oh, yeah, in the old "water wagon."
My understanding is that JFK's configuration is more often influenced by coordination with LGA and EWR traffic.
And, on the day of the incident that created this thread, ATC was trying to maintain capacity with Runway 31L closed.