Yes, the stranger. It is SOOOO unsmart ! It is ridiculously stupid as well.
As you outlined, it limits your options. And the fact you won't be the only one in the sky could well put you in deep trouble. The Ryanair guys have been lucky : no go arounds (own or other acft's), no CBs building up in VLC as well, no contaminated runway, no failure, no other aircraft calling for mayday, etc...
Imagine EVERYONE takes minimum fuel, which is normal according to you. Then Ryanair airplanes
wouldn't have been granted any priority. Which means what ? They would have been holding an extra 15 to 20 minutes ? And commited to land, no go around allowed, which MUST remain an option in your mind at ALL TIMES !
Reading Ryanair's
PR people, everyone should be happy as the 738s landed with the minimum fuel which must be around 1000 kilograms, 500 kilos in each wing. How wonderful !
Taking 500 to 1000 kgs will cost what ? 5 pounds ? 10 pounds ? Even it costs 50 pounds on some routes, then what ? Is our industry so tight as to feel more harmed by 50 pounds than by a dangerous situation ?
Come on, that's ridiculous. I think leaving with minimum fuel + 100/200 kgs is fairly standard when all is well. Now, leaving with that amount when destination is fairly risky is not a matter of costing a bit less or a bit more. It means putting extra probability to put 180 people's lives at risk.