Sanity Check
Alright, let's call it something else. I call it a sanity check. As DC8 points out, IF there was a mistake in the takeoff calculations, by computer or manually, and IF the power setting was actually too low, someone (the captain) should have said, "Hey, this isn't close to the power setting used for the last takeoff I made under these conditions!" That's why he's the captain. He has the experience to decide if what is calculated is reasonable. If it isn't, the captain should demand a recheck and also should do it himself. The same thing for an acceleration check. It's pretty rough, but if you don't get what you should expect pretty early in the roll, you should stop, go back, and recheck. That's better than plowing up the ground at the far end. You're putting your life on the line if you blindly accept what comes out of a calculator. Simply ask, does this make sense? I'll bet the guys at MEL wish they had done a sanity check.