Been away or a few days, but yeah, Lifeisgood & BPF, I take your point(s). I haven't, in fact, done ANY flying in a 340, let alone off a short strip. So I'll have to save the head examination till I get the new beast and decide where to base it
Nor am I here to argue, so, um, I won't! I'm just researching the question, at this stage, and comparing viewpoints. Particularly on the issue of why you can't just cut power immediately to prevent a VMC roll on takeoff.
There are a whole lot of reasons for why I'm asking this, and yes, I hear ya. I guess I wasn't suggesting catlike reflexes, so much as normal reflexes, but being wide awake to the possibilities of emergencies, as opposed to getting complacent. And, like it or not, there ARE differences in pilot abilities, currency and so on, so some minimum field lengths for commercial operators, for instance, have to be a minimium that works across the board. But I hear you guys, loud & clear. Thanks for the input.