I find it quite interesting that a lot of second guessing, or arm chair analysis, complete with speculation about what ifs, are being made in this thread.
All of the considerations have already been taken into account even before the plane takes the air. The statistical considerations, the what ifs and last but not least the identification and response to any enroute problems. This is all nicely contained in the recommended operating procedures and/or trained in the flight crew.
The demonstration of the adequacy of this is the historical record itself, both by the operator as well as the aircraft type.
I just don't see the point of the uninformed debating procedures rather than simply asking for understanding.