Chris,
It would appear you have a deeper understanding of my operation than I.
I have flown 4 other types with 3 other operators. Our flying manual procedures remain the same - our flying crew orders remain the same. Our fuel planning considerations at pre-flight are based on the same concerns and rules as any other fleet. If we need it, we load up as available. If EAT exceeds holding ability, we divert (this does happen).
I am not aware, nor have been told, any differently.
I am intrigued by your assurance that I will never go to LGW. I'm not saying you're wrong (as I say, you appear to know more than I), but I'll send you a postcard from Crawley if and when that happens......
PS: If I were running the show I would not only *not* ask for priority, I would *insist* on a level playing field (inter-company tactical slot swaps aside - for all fleets - I think that makes commercial sense). We are all proud of our SST's ability to fit in, and we know that it can - but at the end of the day we are only players like anyone else: they give us the bat and we play ball with it, but we are not the umpires and are therefore powerless in that respect.