I don't mean to come across virtuous nor do I tow the company line, but having been a skipper for 8 years, I have always taken what I consider that I need, and have never had such a letter. I also fly the smallbus to all the higher risk routes with plenty of weather around, and when I load the extra fuel just write a short couple of words annotation to the PLOG as required. Compared with a couple of years back I think they are being quite generous with fuel now. I do, however, think that whoever is making the decisions on extra fuel hasn't a clue as, on occasions, there is clearly no need and at other times there is. Little consistency in the decision making. I do also think that Met forecasting is wildly inaccurate in these parts. Quite often these days given a couple of tonnes extra to hold in addition to contingency which makes it comfortable and I will happily carry it without recourse. I have a long list of other gripes, but not current fuel policy.