[mjevans]

I felt that it was more for comedy as well as helping to develop the difference in character between the two.

LaForge is competent, he's also newer in his overall career. Scotty has been around the block so many times he knows where every crack and seam is.

That was a moment where Scotty's wisdom was being handed down; it's OK to know what it will take, but stuff happens, and there's also the potential to hand tasks off to less senior staff that might not do it at perfect speed. Giving a padded estimate gives you options and room for corrections if there are issues.