> In other words, removing a pound of cargo can reduce the total weight of the plane by several pounds Thats only true if a significant amount of fuel is used

> In other words, removing a pound of cargo can reduce the total weight of the plane by several pounds Thats only true if a significant amount of fuel is used to overcome induced drag when in cruise. If most of the fuel is used to overcome parasitic drag, then reducing your weight doesn't significantly affect how much fuel you need to carry.