Originally Posted by BobbyLeeSwagger

I've heard similar reasons when I was an FO by 1 or 2 guys. I look at it this way.

1. If we're early and there is a gate, boom win-win, were heroes and I get to brag to the pax that it was because of the FOs superior navigation skills.

2. If we're early and there is no gate, then we will get there as soon as one opens. We are better positioned to control the clock being on the ground close to the ally rather than trying to 'time it' in the air. Plus everyone gets to use their cell phones and we get to judge skywest landings and laugh some more while logging our flight time. It's a win-wn, pax get the gate asap, and we get flight time still, but just hanging out pillaging snack baskets. Just make sure to tell the pax that we flew too fast and got their too early but we'll still be on time or early after hanging out. Still heroes.

3. If we're early and we are late to the gate because of a a/c delay, well, wouldn't have mattered anyway. We dont usually have this scenario as much anymore now that delta moved to the north side. You are still better positioned to take the first opening.

The art of being a captain is controlling the impressions people have of what's going on... and being a good blame shifter lol.