Not sure what any of this has to do with the 'sackings'.
Doesn't the A340-600 have tailstrike protection due to its extra length. I understand you can back stick it at rotate and it will control the rotation rate to avoid hitting the tail. Might be wrong, never flown it.
As to all the rest of the innuendo why not just say 'one does not screw up and hit the lights.' An intersection, if it was used, would not have corrected for a wrong rotation. If it was on the ground for 17secs, without a rearward input on the stick or more thrust; it was only gonna fly when it got to the escarpment .
And, if it was on the deck for that long after rotate without lifting, there was plenty of runway available all other things being equal. Cap 56; as to not taking off from an intersection on an 8 hour flight. Good sweeping statement but I think you'll find that full length is rarely used at Gatwick, most guys go from A1, that costs a few inches. Why not just drop a cliche about runway behind you rather than trying to be so pious. It must be great to have never made a mistake.
Cerberus