Decision between time or high-rank try Suppose you have a well-written paper that, in your supervisor's opinion,deserves a bit more of a Tier 2 journal, but it is difficult to get published in a Tier 1 journal. Would you suggest, in general, trying the higher rank journal first, getting a rejection (likely), but also possible improvements and eventually try a second-tier, or would you aim to the second straightforward to save time?
I think you (or the hypothetical person here) are gaming the system to your own disadvantage. I'm reading the first sentence as &quot;...more than a Tier 2 journal...&quot;.
You don't know you will be rejected. The suggestions of the reviewers might, when incorporated, result in acceptance.
And there is no guarantee about the time to publication for any journal. It is highly unpredictable for most journals, depending on the work load of reviewers, etc.
Moreover the break between &quot;tiers&quot; is pretty fuzzy.
Send it to the &quot;most appropriate&quot; journal for the work itself.