Narrative:

During preflight I elected to add 1000 pounds of additional fuel. Rides and destination conditions were choppy and I wanted flexibility to seek better rides if chop or turbulence were encountered. Also; since I was given no alternate fuel; experience has shown that events can and do occur which compromise the landing conditions (weather; mechanical; FOD or sudden runway or airport closure); thus requiring delaying the landing or deviating to an alternate airport. On this flight; after constant moderate turbulence on approach we were instructed on a 200 ft final go-around by den tower. After clean-up they told us that there was a sudden microburst alert on the field. We told them that we could not land at den while this was happening. They immediately stated that the alert had subsided. We were given vectors to a different runway and commenced the approach in moderate turbulence to landing (a flight attendant with many years seniority stated it was the worst turbulence she has ever experienced). With the additional fuel; we were planned to land with 7300 pounds of fuel. Our actual arrival fuel was 4700 pounds. Had I not added the additional fuel we would have landed with approximately 3700 pounds. If the airport would have continued under these adverse conditions; our options to continue a safe flight would have been severely compromised. Needless to say this was a very uncomfortable situation even with the extra fuel that I added. I called dispatch and asked with respect who is responsible for these continued low fuel loads we are dispatched with. The dispatcher stated with obvious frustration that the new fuel policy directed to all dispatchers is to reduce fuel loads on dispatch and that the dispatchers are receiving letters of reprimand and disciplinary action if they deviate from this policy. He said it is a directive from the new guy in charge of the fuel policy. He stated there were two dispatchers on leaves because of violating the new fuel policy. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. In the name of saving what ever amount it costs to carry a safe fuel load we are compromising the safety of our crews; our passengers; our aircraft and potentially many lives on the ground. I have found it necessary to ask for extra fuel on roughly 7 out of 10 flights that I am in command of. In my opinion; this ridiculous policy must end voluntarily or we will find ourselves facing a catastrophic situation.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 Captain describes his company's fuel policy requiring Dispatchers to assign only FAR minimum fuel. The reporter must routinely add fuel to provide a safe margin.

Narrative: During preflight I elected to add 1000 LBS of additional fuel. Rides and destination conditions were choppy and I wanted flexibility to seek better rides if chop or turbulence were encountered. Also; since I was given no alternate fuel; experience has shown that events can and do occur which compromise the landing conditions (weather; mechanical; FOD or sudden runway or airport closure); thus requiring delaying the landing or deviating to an alternate airport. On this flight; after constant moderate turbulence on approach we were instructed on a 200 FT final go-around by DEN Tower. After clean-up they told us that there was a sudden microburst alert on the field. We told them that we could not land at DEN while this was happening. They immediately stated that the alert had subsided. We were given vectors to a different runway and commenced the approach in moderate turbulence to landing (a Flight Attendant with many years seniority stated it was the worst turbulence she has ever experienced). With the additional fuel; we were planned to land with 7300 LBS of fuel. Our actual arrival fuel was 4700 LBS. Had I not added the additional fuel we would have landed with approximately 3700 LBS. If the airport would have continued under these adverse conditions; our options to continue a safe flight would have been severely compromised. Needless to say this was a very uncomfortable situation even with the extra fuel that I added. I called Dispatch and asked with respect who is responsible for these continued low fuel loads we are dispatched with. The Dispatcher stated with obvious frustration that the new fuel policy directed to all Dispatchers is to reduce fuel loads on dispatch and that the Dispatchers are receiving letters of reprimand and disciplinary action if they deviate from this policy. He said it is a directive from the new guy in charge of the fuel policy. He stated there were two dispatchers on leaves because of violating the new fuel policy. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. In the name of saving what ever amount it costs to carry a safe fuel load we are compromising the safety of our crews; our passengers; our aircraft and potentially many lives on the ground. I have found it necessary to ask for extra fuel on roughly 7 out of 10 flights that I am in command of. In my opinion; this ridiculous policy must end voluntarily or we will find ourselves facing a catastrophic situation.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.