Your points are worthwhile.......all be it far from the [Non GOM] Offshore Industry Standard.......
Try taking such a risk [commercial attitude] where I fly and you would certainly not be allowed back.....and that would be an Oil Company Statement....Loud and Clear.
I can also remember the good old days of hovering, facing 180 degrees off heading in nil wind.....and minimising your left [power consuming] pedal until you were Committed.......how ones viewpoint changes with time.
Its sad that there are still parts of the world that "Managers" demand/expect pilots to fly along the edge....and threatening them with replacement???...what a shame.
PS....I never mentioned CAT A......I did suggest that OGE weights will normally give you "some" vertical climb performance in nil wind.....but thats not CAT A as you know.