Personally, I like your ideas Dirk,
I normally fly my B737 cockpit with a standard load of passengers saved with my Scenarios. It is another variable I don't have to change/enter.
Could a 'default passenger load' field be included in preferences with a check box 'use default'? GSX then would always then match the quantity on board.
I always assumed 'start engines before pushback?' was something Ground always had to ask? If they don't, could that be an opt-out checkbox as well?
Aussie