Lately the number of delays and deviations during a flight have just about become unbearable, thereby causing massive diverts (VERY expensive to the airlines). It seems that little is being addressed to expedite a B-777 into it's destination after a 15 hour flight so that an RJ isn't inconvenienced (just an example so don't get defensive) even though they are both in the same holding pattern. (After a recent 5.5 hour flight from Ecuador, we had to divert into Philly since the controller told us he had to get the 3 RJ's below us in holding out FIRST, since we were international, we couldn't let the pax off the plane.........VERY expensive divert since we were only 10 mins from our destination and the WX was CLEAR!!) With fuel getting so out of hand, it looks like the controllers would start trying to help the "big guys" out a bit more. I see so many RJ's, turboprops, business jets, etc., try to leave at the same time, with a 747, 777, or A-340 waiting in line for an hour or more to leave. Someone HAS to understand it costs a LOT of money to keep these big guys moving 100' at a clip while moving to the runway. So what is my point here? By the time many of us are airborne, we're already concerned about the fuel on board, therefore we start slowing down to conserve. Maybe if our ATC system was updated (at least to the 80's or better) we'd be in better shape. For now, I think it's only going to get worse as fuel gets more expensive. Something is going to have to change............