Scary reading!
Any reference to that article or to which flight departments are using this?
In the (fortunately very rare) case of having an engine fail at V1 (recognized at V1) - I personally would prefer approaching the end of the runway DECCELERATING as opposed to trying to accelerate S/E (for a twin) from a speed 5-15kts below V1 (outside of all published data)! Btw. are you talking specifically about the B747, 4-engines or aircraft performance in general?)
And Centaurus - any thoughts on controllability/VMCG as mentioned before? Would you always use the -15kts or do you use other personal corrections - for crosswind etc. You mentioned "sitting back in cattle class" - knowing the guys up front could be inventing their own procedures for T/O is something I will try not to think about next time I'm in the back.
[Edit: Btw. are you talking specifically about the B747, 4-engines or aircraft performance in general?)]