Once again my brother, it's not an issue of intent, but the 5 mile separation is there for a reason. It takes care of all variables, so that we don't have to raise the element of risk to accommodate flow. I'm all about helping you guys out, but not at the expense of safety. You and I both know that there are more slots in EWR between 1800Z and 2300Z than the airport can handle, yet you and I are forced to mask the problem by trying to make it work.

So honest question for you: If you guys are ok with "safety first", why is it that any time we use the words "unable" on approach we get a great deal of grief by the controllers? Again in the spirit of working together I'm more than happy to try things so long as it doesn't compromise the safety of my passengers, if/when pilots say the word "unable", there is a reason, and during the approach I may not have time to elaborate, nor is it in the regulations that I should.

Please understand this is not an assault on you folks, but rather talking about the 800lb gorilla that no one wants to talk about. It's time to put the pressure on the folks that are really causing the problem, needless to say it isn't you or me. The best thing the FAA can do at this point is de-peak EWR. Would that make your job safer? Absolutely, would it anger your main client in EWR something awful? Yes, no doubt you guys might get a few calls, but if you were putting your family in the back of my plane, which one would you rather have?