Leaving LAX a few days ago, the winds on the ATIS were giving a tailwind in excess of 10 knots NOT including gust. One would have thought it was going to take the governators' signature to turn the airport around. we were going to be overweight for all conditions for the duty runway due to tailwind, and even if it came below 10kts, it was going to require removing pax/bags. Good idea. Then we hear Singapore, Ba and a few others calling (after we had asked) and were asking for the airport to be turned. LAX response was to tell us that their winds now showed (basically) an 8 knot tailwind... steady.. (yeah right) and that to go opposite direction would be an hour+ delay. The controller asked each pilot what his limit was.. and they were all... wait for it.... 10 knots!! All Boeings... all 10 knots. I disagree with IC ALL... they should (probably do) know this. It is not rocket surgery, and it is common. Probably what is more to the point is that they don't want noise complaints, and will do ANYTHING to avoid them.