Rhodes13 -
The only problem with your "going by the book" thing is that in many cases when things really go wrong in a transport catagory aircraft (you ARE qualified in one, right?), you can take your book and throw it out the window!
One case comes to mind: AA 191. Another (can't recall the Flt No.) was our 747 out of PHNL when a cargo door blew out taking two engines with it.
Granted, you have to START with book procedures, but many times it just simply isn't in the book and that's where expeience comes in.