In the beginining of this thread, Topbunk mentioned that due to the axis of movement of the Parking Brake lever, it should never be mixed up with any other lever on the center pedestal, except by negligence (his words ).
What cockpit egronomic designers must keep in mind is that much of our job is generally, if not mostly, governed by motor skills. Generally, and especially in times of high work load, our mind is resolving some actual problem, while our brain instructs our hands to do some routine mundane action.
Some time ago something quite comical happened, but it does really get you thinking. It ws one of those really rushed turn-arounds, in a very small regional airport I had never been before. I even had to go and pay airport charges. We were Ferry out, so everyone was waiting for me on my return, to depart.
Anyway, we started up and when cleared for taxi, I released the Parking Brake but the plane (320) would not budge (we were empty remember), I increased power, but still nothing. Back to idle and increased power agin, this time slightly more, but she just wouldn't move.
A quick glance to the E/WD confirmed my fears (and embarassment!). The damn Parking Brake was ON!! What had happened was that during the rushed pre-departure checks, the Parking Brake was mistakenly left OFF, and when cleared to taxi, purely by motor skills, I put the lever from OFF to ON, without even realising.
Quite an anti-climax, but really did get me thinking!!