I've been flying for work almost every month for the past five years, and I keep noticing how chaotic regional airports have become. On my last trip, a 40-minute hop was delayed twice because of crew scheduling, not weather, which makes me think the industry's push for ultra-efficient turnaround times might be hitting its limit. So here's what I'm wondering: should airlines prioritize reliability over squeezing every possible minute out of aircraft utilization, even if it means higher ticket prices and fewer same-day options for travelers? I don't have data on whether longer buffers actually reduce cancellations system-wide, but my experience suggests that the current model is leaning too hard into optimization at the expense of the passenger experience.