One would be naive in thinking the "front-liners" of the CASA investigative team couldn't turn up very close to the same list of transgressions with any of the providers of this sort of service in Aus. or further afield for that matter.
Possibly true. However no other operator has ditched a perfectly serviceable ac in the ocean.
dont assume higher is always better heading westbound - its not unusual for 390, or even 350; to give a worse SGR than high 20's if in the jetstream.
Yes, however they requested 390 rather than 270 specifically because of decreased fuel burn. So the assumption (right or wrong) seemed to be the higher the better. A significant factor in this accident was the higher than expected headwind. Once established at 390 the headwind was 80kts (they had assumed 50kts). The increased duration necessitated a reduced cruise to reach Norfolk with required reserve, which put them even later into Norfolk at a time when the weather was deteriorating. Had the wind been 50 they may have got in before weather deteriorated. If not they would have more holding (or may have been confident to reach Noumea when they were aware weather was deteriorating). Had they known the wind was 80 they would hopefully uplift more fuel.
Sobering to think things were cut so fine that a 30kt increased wind could make a difference on a 3 hour flight.