Setting full (maximum) thrust is a Boeing procedure in case of windshear escape maneuver - refer to B737 QRH. When crews are trained in the sim, this action is required from them.
Correct. I have trained this procedure since I started flying. Every time the same, a life and death situation with a CB or microburst based on data from a real windshear that happened somewhere in the world.
You need to follow the procedure in order not to crash, and you are not given the option to do things differently. The prodedure is hammered into us.
The problem with this is a windshear can be very different from what we train in the simulator. You can get a reactive windshear warning without a CB or TS in sight. All it takes is a loss of 20-30 kts momentarily combined with a bit of turbulence, and the bells go off.
Firewall the throttles and pitch up 15 degrees. Chances are you will get you 20-30 kts back real fast, and then some. A lightweight, powerful 737 will go like a rocket in this scenario. Not a good situation. It is very easy to see a level off with a lot of pitch down and trim.
A WS escape maneuver is not always called for in real life.