Thanks Ocean crosser and P51 and not just because you agree ! our ops manual says nothing about the selection albeit respecting RTOW and runway length. My point with the instructor was all about choice as well , operating in given conditions etc. I realize too that a selection other than what might state as optimum is a risk but hey thats our job to analyze. Thats why they have captains with experience otherwise everyone would be in the left seat. Do you know of any Boeing recomendations or literature concerning crosswinds other than what we find in the FFPM and training manuals ?