UNEASY, you are a mindreader, thank you. I am inherently unhappy with this V/S stuff at 36000ft. Why are we using these strange and possibly dangerous vert modes when we have a perfectly servicable TCAS and 2 alert pilots to keep an eye on things.? leave well enough alone. It worked fine for a long time previuosly, so just up the awareness perhaps. thats my way of looking at it rather than some dogmatic YOU WILL DO THIS mentality. cheers ....PB.....anyway thanks to you all for the various thoughtfull inputs.