Good thread guys, lots of interesting opinions.
For me, the most important point highlighted was the time factor involved. A decision was required pdq. A decision was made and it worked.
Spitoon - are you ex crab spitoon?? This is Tam.
Keef - no-one would fail a flight test for sarcasm, they would, however, be penalised if sarcasm was used in lieu of a decision at a critical point such as described by Strake. You can write to as many agencies as you like, sarcasm cannot be used as a substitute for airmanship and captaincy.