REGARDING ATC's role.
Please recall the deadly accident in kentucky in which a regional jet took off on the wrong runway. ATC didn't look out the window to make sure they were on the right,make that correct, runway.
LOTS of mistakes are caught with cooperation between pilots and ATC. WE all need to look out for each other.
I've seen screw ups similiar to the SOUTHWEST thing, that didn't go all the way to a landing. Caught way early by someone, somewhere.
JUST glad no one was hurt.
MAYBE BOEING is doing this to show their good short field capabilities on 737 and Dreamlifter? ;-)