A method comprising: monitoring a backlog level of each of a plurality of remote terminals (134a-134n) that share an uplink inroute channel group of a wireless data communications system, wherein the backlog level of each terminal (134a-134n) reflects an amount of data traffic within the terminal (134a-134n) awaiting transmission via the uplink inroute channel group, and wherein an available bandwidth of the uplink inroute channel group is allocated to the plurality of terminals (134a-134n) on a priority basis via a plurality of bandwidth allocation stages (205, 211, 213) each of a respective priority level; determining that the backlog level of a one of the remote terminals (134a-134n) meets a first threshold level that qualifies the one terminal (134a-134n) for an express priority bandwidth allocation stage of the plurality of bandwidth allocation stages (205, 211, 213), wherein the express priority bandwidth allocation stage is afforded a higher priority for allocation of the available bandwidth of the uplink inroute channel group over the respective priority levels of the other stages (211, 213) of the plurality of bandwidth allocation stages (205, 211, 213); assigning the one terminal (134a-134n) to the express priority bandwidth allocation stage based on the backlog level of the one terminal (134a-134n) meeting the first threshold; monitoring the backlog level of the one terminal (134a-134n) while assigned to the express priority bandwidth allocation stage; and determining that the backlog level of the one terminal (134a-134n) has fallen below a second threshold level that disqualifies the terminal (134a-134n) from remaining in the express priority bandwidth allocation stage, and accordingly removing the one terminal (134a-134n) from the express priority bandwidth allocation stage, characterized in that, when it is determined that the backlog level of the one remote terminal (134a-134n) meets the first threshold level, the method further comprises: applying a probability to the one terminal (134a-134n), wherein the applied probability controls whether the terminal (134a-134n) is assigned to the express priority bandwidth allocation stage, or whether the terminal (134a-134n) is assigned to a backlog based bandwidth allocation stage of a lower priority level than that of the express priority bandwidth allocation stage. monitoring a backlog level of each of a plurality of remote terminals (134a-134n) that share an uplink inroute channel group of a wireless data communications system, wherein the backlog level of each terminal (134a-134n) reflects an amount of data traffic within the terminal (134a-134n) awaiting transmission via the uplink inroute channel group, and wherein an available bandwidth of the uplink inroute channel group is allocated to the plurality of terminals (134a-134n) on a priority basis via a plurality of bandwidth allocation stages (205, 211, 213) each of a respective priority level; determining that the backlog level of a one of the remote terminals (134a-134n) meets a first threshold level that qualifies the one terminal (134a-134n) for an express priority bandwidth allocation stage of the plurality of bandwidth allocation stages (205, 211, 213), wherein the express priority bandwidth allocation stage is afforded a higher priority for allocation of the available bandwidth of the uplink inroute channel group over the respective priority levels of the other stages (211, 213) of the plurality of bandwidth allocation stages (205, 211, 213); wherein the backlog level of each terminal (134a-134n) reflects an amount of data traffic within the terminal (134a-134n) awaiting transmission via the uplink inroute channel group, and wherein an available bandwidth of the uplink inroute channel group is allocated to the plurality of terminals (134a-134n) on a priority basis via a plurality of bandwidth allocation stages (205, 211, 213) each of a respective priority level; determining that the backlog level of a one of the remote terminals (134a-134n) meets a first threshold level that qualifies the one terminal (134a-134n) for an express priority bandwidth allocation stage of the plurality of bandwidth allocation stages (205, 211, 213), wherein the express priority bandwidth allocation stage is afforded a higher priority for allocation of the available bandwidth of the uplink inroute channel group over the respective priority levels of the other stages (211, 213) of the plurality of bandwidth allocation stages (205, 211, 213); assigning the one terminal (134a-134n) to the express priority bandwidth allocation stage based on the backlog level of the one terminal (134a-134n) meeting the first threshold; monitoring the backlog level of the one terminal (134a-134n) while assigned to the express priority bandwidth allocation stage; and determining that the backlog level of the one terminal (134a-134n) has fallen below a second threshold level that disqualifies the terminal (134a-134n) from remaining in the express priority bandwidth allocation stage, and accordingly removing the one terminal (134a-134n) from the express priority bandwidth allocation stage, characterized in that, when it is determined that the backlog level of the one remote terminal (134a-134n) meets the first threshold level, the method further comprises: applying a probability to the one terminal (134a-134n), wherein the applied probability controls whether the terminal (134a-134n) is assigned to the express priority bandwidth allocation stage, or whether the terminal (134a-134n) is assigned to a backlog based bandwidth allocation stage of a lower priority level than that of the express priority bandwidth allocation stage.