Originally Posted by
flyguyflies
8.5 degrees keeps you out of a Tailstrike. 777-300 Tail strikes at 8.9 degrees normal liftoff attitude is 8.0 degrees ... on the 300 ER. Tail strikes at 10.0 degrees... normal liftoff is at 9.0 degrees
Given the reported circumstances, a tailstrike does indeed sound an unlikely scenario.