Silent Pressures
One of the saddest things I ever heard from a chief pilot: WE can't make a rule to avoid thunderstorms near an airport by 5 miles because it would impact schedule too much.
Now, think about that.
Whether it is in a book or not...there is a silent pressure to make schedule. That dumb ranking of airline on time performance is more of a detriment to safety than one might imagine. There isn't a column for weather delays, or mechanical delays...just delays.
why did southwest have such good on time performance? good weather areas...but their venture to the east will show them.