These weather ground holds all started after a guy was struck by lightning at SYD during a storm. Ever since then it's been taken very seriously. Can't speak specifically for PER, but as far as I understand, ALL operators should be held to the same standards. Lights on = nobody on the ramp. However some ground staff don't seem to care or notice... VA/QF or any other operator shouldn't be encouraging their staff to disregard the airport warnings.
