Speaking of industry standard, since you are a member of management, let me ask. I believe I have been through two recurrents now in which it has been claimed that our fueling procedures are standard with the industry, yet I have multiple friends at other airlines (all of them) yet no one is required to sit on the airplane and wait for a thumbs up from the fueler to begin fueling. Can you guys finally admit that this is just a Spirit issue? I think the FAA was just trying to show you guys who is in charge.
It was probably done to personally tick you off.
On a more serious note your question should probably be directed to the FAA, and more precisely the certificate overseeing FSDO or Ops group. I have no idea as this is completely out of my knowledge expertise (even though I am aware that it was an issue, especially in the past) and something I never deal with but if I was to place bets the previous statement would be a good place to point the finger (gubmint) considering I have seen other "special" ways of doing things even at different carriers that are somewhat related in nature, such as specific MX procedures/checks which aren't replicated at most if any OAs on the same equipment...they were all born out of more less the same source.
In any case I'm not familiar with the details other than it exists so I'm not going to comment any further on it.
American also does this if you use a D3/buddy pass to get some friends places. They consider it imputed income and so you are taxed on it in addition to also being responsible for the nonrev charges.
Exactly, I cant recollect any other USDM OA that did not charge for this in some sort of way whether it is a flat imputed income based on the value of the buddy pass on top of paycheck or charge this "estimated" tax upfront when buying the buddy pass.