WHBM,
I assure you, freighters do more often, takeoff and land at max gross weight than pax carriers, I have done both. Trust me!
Flight mech, why don't you look at the turbulance penetrating speed for 747's before you shoot your mouth off. I think you'll find it very close to normal operating speed. And; Do you really think we want to shoot ourselves in the foot, rag our planes for no reason, and then have to deal with the ensueing emergemcies?? Me thinks not, ole chap. I personally want the company to stay around for another 15 years.