PODKNOCKER:
Can anyone quote one instance where a reputable airline has fired a Captain for consistantly taking too much extra fuel?
Yes, I could give you an example of a Captain in a 'reputable' flag carrying airline in europe who recently had to go all the way to the high court to stop his company firing him because 'he consistently carried too much fuel'. Believe it or not.
Also, I know of other airlines requiring their skippers to fill in a box on the flight plan explaining any extra fuel being asked for. At a certain SE Asian company this reason was often queried and pilots were hence intimidated into leaving themselves short. This cumulated in a bad case of 'press-on-itis' which left a 747 running on fumes after a G/A at LHR (well documented and discussed on this website).
Just wait until the stuff hits $40 a barrell again.