As for the scam... Here's what always in my mind:
If you do not expect too much you will not be disappointed.

JL is not helpful? No, they just don't know what to do in case of emergency. You'd be able to understand that operating 8 different configurations on 10 different routes without spare is a quite challenging job.(I'm not talking about its entire fleet, it is 744 alone.) Yes, just one irregular operation(weather/mechanical/etc) screws everything.

I'd like to hear your NRT~HNL story, could you be more specific?