Hudson this is only a comment on your post and NOT the thread, on the 767 there are 6 settings for the auto brakes. One for the rejected takeoff, and 1,2,3,4,or max for landing. The 744 is probably similar.Normal ops is a setting of 2 or 3 for a normal landing even with idle reverse(runway length permitting).Under normal conditions the consideration of RED HOT brakes is not an issue,and even smoking brakes, which are not uncommon, aren't considered a major drama,on a wet day steaming brakes are fairly common. Autobrakes are normal ops and do a better more efficient job of stopping the aircraft than manual braking. As far as the incident today, it will all come out in the wash.Forget the media reports!!!