If your 744 manuals even mention a distance (15' or 25') they are miles ahead of anything I can find. I sure would like to see something on this in writing if it's not too much trouble. So, you are pretty sure the -8 A/T works the same as the 744 in this regard? I know the -8 has A/T wakeup when disengaged and the 744 doesn't, but I don't know that it would necessarily affect the scenario above.