Never had a problem with the regs. It gave me a minimum start datum.
All fine as long as it is seen as a minimum. However like with all aviation regulations in lowcost evironment, the legal limits become the targets.
It seems some of you never worked or know about working in a lowcost environment.
When unrealistic diversion routes are being planned and presented as the minimum I think authorities have to act.
Let's consider a nice day, what reasons would lead to a diversion from destination to the alternate. Mostly this would be unexpected weather or the airfield closing for one or the other reason. Reasons that will likely affect many other aircraft that will also divert. If the destination airfield is busy this will create a large traffic flow, possibly to an airfield with much less capacity.
Yet we plan our alternate fuel in the most direct routing without any delay being anticipated. Is that realistic?
In my opinion unrealistic alternate fuel is being calculated in all airlines.