1) no, they will not hold a plane 5 or 10 minutes. Period.

Bull, I have been on flights where we waited for connecting passengers of the same airline to make it. EVEN INTERNATIONAL ONES. That's not the main crux of my rant, anyway. I certainly dont think it should be a rule for that to happen. I am indifferent on such a scenario as thre are pros and cons. It was just a sidecomment in a long story. BUt since you seemed to be so full of yourself, just had to let you know that it can happen.