We made a change in Akamai to ensure gzip of JSON responses, as part of Akamai Ion and the response times for first load have jumped through the roof. Using other points of data (other external and internal tools), I know this isn’t accurate.
In some cases, I’m seeing a 50+ second first view (with a 2.5s second view) whereas, historically, it’s been in the 3-5 second range.
50+ seconds first view
http://www.webpagetest.org/result/140724_0H_TEK/
4 second first view
http://www.webpagetest.org/result/140717_QY_KBK/