I'm just trying to comprehend how it's supposed to work in reality
It's all to do with energy (presuming that one has some spare runway in the first place). Think of a bucket of water progressively emptying .. when it's gone, it's gone. A bigger bucket lasts a tad longer .. perhaps just enough to get over that knoll off the end of the runway ?
Well, the answer is simple- dynamic of the situation and knowledge of local particularites
Actually, I think that doesn't mean much at all, does it ?
where does it leave one
Much the same place as with an Airbus, I suggest.
That's quite a different statement
... but quite reasonable and consistent with the general story.
.. methinks perhaps you have been seduced by the razzle dazzle ?