POTD CAST SPEED

[HyoMinPark]

As far as I know outside gear doesn't matter and every single job has a base GCD of 2.40s without any other buffs.

Base GCD is 2.5 with no buffs.

Thats what Ive been wondering, does the gear a player wears outside POTD effect inside at all? I thought all outside bonuses were removes and replacex with whatever bonus you get from the aetherpool gear. Ive made careful note of how other WHMs use swiftcast and presence of mind, yet even without using these skills their holy spell (and a few others) finish casting a lot faster. I also use foods inside, not sure if that effects my speeds any or if its placebo. I just cant match their speeds. Maybe if Im lucky enough to get a 99 weapon?
Edit: I also recast as soon as my hotbar allows me to, not so much the animation

The gear you wear has no bearing on your stats inside PotD or HoH. Stats such as HP, Defense, and Attack Power are affected only by the values of your aetherpool arm and armor. Food does work in there, but the difference would be too small to contribute to anything significant like Skill Speed or Spell Speed timings.