Sawbones, you're not giving Mr. Cashman quite enough credit - he was the CHIEF test pilot for the 777, starting with the very first test flight in 1994. I think he was the Chief test pilot for the whole company when he retired.
I flew with John many, many times - heck of a pilot (most of the Boeing test pilots fall into that category). My understanding was that he was an engineer before he became a pilot - and it showed - he really understood the airplane and how it worked.
I wish I had the time to listen it, it sounds like the proceeding are rather interesting
