Originally Posted by
channa
Remember, too, that CO uses a very optimistic operating philosophy, and as a result, there's not much slack or padding in CO's system. So, if there's a longer-than-normal flight time, CO is less likely to be able to absorb it.
Slack must extend to catering too - my 3 hour delay is growing longer due to the need to be "sequenced in for catering". I'd think a heavily delayed flight would jump to top of queue, but I guess not.