Have to second that. The philosophy should be "whatever we have to do to make it safe, plus 25% or so". And it should be legislated to ensure that airlines weren't constantly trying to cut everything to the bone.
Fuel decisions should rest with the captain alone, in consultation with others if necessary, and there should never be any comeback if a bit more than usual is carried.
And if that results in ticket prices rising, well perhaps we will finally be paying the real cost of (safe) air travel.