Nice report Astro -- full of keen observations. I too have had the JAL experience in HNL -- they go out of their way to make sure everyone who has checked in makes their flight. The opposite of JAL is HP -- was on a flight that had a mechanical. They boarded us, let us sit for an hour, then took us off saying it would be at least another hour. I went to the bar (next to the gate!) with about half the plane. Went back to check the status after about 40 minutes. Plane was gone! No announcements were made other than in the gate area. Rude gate agents said, "It's not our responsibility to make sure you make your flight". Oversold flight left with 63 on board. Duh? Near riot...