Willadvise, you've said it in less words and simpler than I could. As for the low/slow, I certainly haven't had one of these plans recently, but the econ speed for FL240, would be about .63 or.64 I guess, given the C.I we're using. No a/c problem, just the way the box works. With the cost index we are using at present, fuel burn is the highest priority, and the plane will burn about the same per hour at that speed/level as it does at .78/FL380. Don't get me started on the sector lengths! (Which of course for the smartest men in the room MAY actually increase overall burn!) Occasionally used to alleviate high winds, which is my suspicion at the moment. Guess I'll find out when I get back to work!