I get the impression that the Delta crew might have been expecting 2 minutes from the time they pulled into line up and wait. And ATC might have been thinking the 2 minute time hack started when Delta accepted the line up and wait before they had even crossed 28L to go to 28R. Hence the “more than 30 seconds” quip (that was wholly unnecessary). Even with this benefit of the doubt for both ends here, it still emphasizes not to take the runway, not to cross the hold line onto the runway, and not to accept a takeoff clearance, until completely ready to do so.
I'd teach my CA OE students that if they're not ready, the call is "Tell him we need X minutes, we will hold short of the runway (whatever)" so it takes the operational pressure off.
I can't remember the airport, but I was flying a slowly-spooling NEO, we're told to line up and wait. We're probably on the runway for three minutes then tower says "TRAFFIC ON A THREE MILE FINAL, CLEARED FOR IMMEDIATE TAKEOFF".
*woooo….woo woo woo woowowoowowoowowowowwwwwwwwwwwWWWWWWWWWTHRUSHHHHHHHH*
Well I can't stay spooled up for three-plus minutes and I certainly can't go zero to hero with catlike quickness on high bypass geared turbofans.