I really think you all should spend a little time in a ramp tower at one of your hubs. The hassle the ramp tower controllers have to deal with is unbelievable. None of you would do this of course - but pre-emptive calls for pushback to get ahead in the queues, pushing then stopping blocking the ramp and the gate while bags are loaded, or paperwork that should have been handed to the crew is faxed by some route .. etc etc., The reason that you have a push crew of tug and marshallers is precisely because you cannot see behind you and someone will actually push when cleared rather than 10 minutes later so the marshallers can stop everything turning to worms. If you can take it spend a couple of busy hours in a ramp tower for your professional development you will learn a lot.