As I said, I don't know any of the facts. I just mentioned a certain behaviour I often observe in certain situation. It happens more often in traditional bigger airlines that - at the same time - have a higher cost base at statistically no significantly better safety margin. You all know that I'm not refering to hair colours but to state of minds.
Mutt, take off cones, wind considerations, obstacle limitations etc. - all applies for an IFR departure. Except if it's a visual departure. I seriously doubt that his runway table was the later. Higher margins apply for uncertainty of navigation in clouds.
I agree that you shouldn't (always) follow the herd but if all great aviators that day took off except him, I'm not sure... He was correct and everybody else was endangering their flight? Pretty heavy allegation to all these pilots that day!
Dani
age: 44
experience: 10 000 airline hours
7000 as airline CMD
type ratings similar to the UA pilots
some grey hairs at the temples
