Can an Airline Pilot Really “Make Up” Time During a Flight?

Can an Airline Pilot Really “Make Up” Time During a Flight?:

With the marked increase in air travel that accompanies Thanksgiving week, there are bound to be delays—meteorologists are already warning that wind and rain in the Northeast hub areas could pose problems. Once you finally get off the ground, there’s always the hope that the pilot will announce that he will try to make up some time. But wait—if pilots can really make a trip go faster, why don’t they always do it? Can they really shave some time off a flight when they feel like it?