The inconsistency of the NOTAM vs TFR make it tough for us to do our jobs. Does dispatch even provide a copy of TFRs? I'm guessing not because the tower controller passed the number listed in the TFR. If the crew had the TFR and realized they were going to be flying through closed airspace due to the delay they could have called much sooner. They may get a slight pass due to this, but......

First, I dealt with this type of planning and dispatch in the AF. When the AF decided to jump on board with fuel planning just like this diverts just became a cost of doing business. We fought and argued that just 1 divert eliminates all the savings of not carrying extra fuel. How would any non management crew have handled this? When the company is planning fuel like this, albeit legal, they leave the crews little options when situations arise causing diverts. Again, just a cost of doing business.

Second, with this amount of negative press it's easy to see what would happen if this was any line crew. Looking at the story about the Capt that was fired based on supposed negative press you know these guys would have been thrown to the FAA and fired. That is the style of leadership I am leaving behind in the AF and pains me to see it happening on the outside. We are all going to screw up at one point or another, it just depends how you own it and how your leadership handles it. Something's are clear cut but most situations are not black and white and we make the best decisions with the given information at the time. Sometimes those turn out to be not the best decisions but as long as no metal was bent and no one hurt, take it as a lesson learned and move on. But seeing leadership crucify 1 and then give a pass to others based on their best judgment for a unique situation is disturbing.