Have used all 3.
The case for "Abort" or "Reject" is that the word "Stop" is ubiquitous and frequently spoken at the beginning of comments or sentences, and thus more likely to be used reflexively or unintentionally at the wrong moment. On the other hand, "Abort" or "Reject", are far less common, aren't reflexive expressions, and specifically linked to the act of stopping the aircraft during the takeoff roll, providing their own context and thus self-explanatory. Example:
"We had to stop and return to the gate" vs. "We had to abort/reject and return to the gate". In the latter, you know they were on the runway, began the takeoff roll, but had to stop. The former requires more context to know that they rejected/aborted.
I'm supposing this, but perhaps using a specific word that provides its own context harkens back to when there was a lot more talking on a flight deck during takeoff rolls, with a lot of power managing, and cowl flap setting etc with a flight engineer between the seats getting into the act. Perhaps there were many things they needed to do or stop doing so "stop" was more ambiguous and could be misinterpreted.
Nowadays, it probably doesn't make much difference and as long is everything is initiated within the allowance made for reaction time built into the performance numbers it doesn't matter. Personally, I prefer "Reject" or "Abort" because like "Eject" it's so specific nobody needs to hear it the 2nd or 3rd times before reacting.
After so many years of instinctively calling "abort" you may experience some frustration during training at the pointless change of script. I always chalked it up to some desk-jock Manager in Flight Ops trying to prove he can "make a difference" by changing the SOPs...again. Whatever the reason, it's certain it's not because someone didn't understand the word "Abort" or "Reject".
In addition to initially stumbling over the new script while busy applying the brakes, maintaining the centreline, deploying the reversers etc, if you're the guy on the receiving end, you'll have to react upon hearing "Stop" instead automatically tuning-out and ignoring the word as you've trained yourself to do while driving when heard from the wife sitting next to you commenting on your speeding or as a command to the kids having a Fruit Loop fight in the back seat.
Last edited by PukinDog; 22nd Nov 2023 at 05:26.