MD80 SLF: if you saw no flaps at TO??
Occasional SLF here with a few hours toward PPL. Speculation on a possible cause of the recent tragedy in Madrid got me playing some "what if" scenarios. You're on an almost-full MD80. You know it's hot and high out there because you checked -- you enjoy being informed. You're finally heading for home after a return to the gate for a "minor technical difficulty", where "minor" means "takes only two hours to fix so no you can't leave the plane". As the takeoff roll begins you glance out the window and notice that the flaps and slats are still retracted. The pilot shows no sign of stopping. You're sure by now the warning horn should be going off up in front, but still you accelerate down the runway. You have about 10-15 seconds left to decide and to act. What would you do? Understand I don't ask this to make light of what happened. I'm honestly interested in what an experienced pilot riding as passenger would do in this situation. Would you quietly rationalize that "they must know what they are doing", or run up to the front to pound on the door and scream "ABORT! NO FLAPS! NO FLAPS!!!"? Best Regards, T.