Narrative:

I inquired [during preflight] about the fuel and the winds; and the captain informed me of the conversation he had with dispatch; that we would monitor it very closely and if we didn't feel comfortable we would be stopping [enroute] for more fuel. We were all in agreement and off we went. Once airborne our fuel load showed us landing with approximately 4500 lbs of fuel; which was not what we wanted or were comfortable with. We had updated the winds and then put in the step up altitudes throughout the flight. Our initial cruise altitude was FL240 due to the heavy winds at higher altitudes. My captain also checked on different cost indexes once at cruise; we were at a cost index of 70 because we were already scheduled to arrive almost an hour after scheduled arrival time. The captain was able to bring the landing fuel up to 6500 lbs by changing the cost index to 15. We communicated this with dispatch and again all 3 of us decided this was the best course of action. We monitored the winds and were able to step up to higher altitudes as scheduled; to keep the fuel load at 6500 lbs for landing. The captain and I decided that we were comfortable continuing to [destination] without stopping for fuel. The weather was reporting I believe 2;000 overcast and 5 miles visibility; with a one degree spread between dew point and temperature. We had talked about what we would do if they gave us delaying vectors and we decided that in the event that happens that we would have to declare min fuel. Once on with approach the first controller kept us on our route; but the second controller said he had to give us delay vectors. I believe it was a 60 degree turn off course. The captain and I again discussed our best option and fuel load; and decided to declare min fuel. The controller understood and we descended but stayed on our route. That controller transferred us to the next controller; and the new controller explained that min fuel did not mean she had to give us any help and made it clear that she would not help. She told us that the delay vectors would take approximately ten minutes; and if we needed priority we would have to declare an emergency.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A320 First Officer reported declaring minimum fuel in an effort to expedite their arrival; but the Controller indicated they would have to declare an emergency to ensure special handling.

Narrative: I inquired [during preflight] about the fuel and the winds; and the Captain informed me of the conversation he had with dispatch; that we would monitor it very closely and if we didn't feel comfortable we would be stopping [enroute] for more fuel. We were all in agreement and off we went. Once airborne our fuel load showed us landing with approximately 4500 lbs of fuel; which was not what we wanted or were comfortable with. We had updated the winds and then put in the step up altitudes throughout the flight. Our initial cruise altitude was FL240 due to the heavy winds at higher altitudes. My Captain also checked on different cost indexes once at cruise; we were at a cost index of 70 because we were already scheduled to arrive almost an hour after scheduled arrival time. The Captain was able to bring the landing fuel up to 6500 lbs by changing the cost index to 15. We communicated this with dispatch and again all 3 of us decided this was the best course of action. We monitored the winds and were able to step up to higher altitudes as scheduled; to keep the fuel load at 6500 lbs for landing. The Captain and I decided that we were comfortable continuing to [destination] without stopping for fuel. The weather was reporting I believe 2;000 overcast and 5 miles visibility; with a one degree spread between dew point and temperature. We had talked about what we would do if they gave us delaying vectors and we decided that in the event that happens that we would have to declare min fuel. Once on with Approach the first controller kept us on our route; but the second controller said he had to give us delay vectors. I believe it was a 60 degree turn off course. The Captain and I again discussed our best option and fuel load; and decided to declare min fuel. The controller understood and we descended but stayed on our route. That controller transferred us to the next controller; and the new controller explained that min fuel did not mean she had to give us any help and made it clear that she would not help. She told us that the delay vectors would take approximately ten minutes; and if we needed priority we would have to declare an emergency.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.