Originally Posted by DeadHead

I was just using that to illustrate an example. I've never encountered that "the old old eye roll" for the way I say the numbers 3-5-9, but I have seen it with other things such as when to flip on the beacon.
I've gotten barked at for turning it on early, then looked at crazily for not turning it on early enough, so know I just try to gauge the other guy and guesstimate it.

Lately I've been just flat out asking what they like me to do with the beacon. On rare occasion, I'll fly with a guy who won't block out until every door is shut and each ground personnel is in position even if it's one minute late. Personally, I think that's particularly toolish, unless the ground personnel is being particularly unprepared, lazy, and obnoxious that day. If however it all "business as usual" and they are doing everything they can to turn the aircraft on time, then I think the captain is just being a tool.