The one thing that I hate the most in this world, is when my captain starts talking about "the step". In a normal airliner there is no step, as long as you fly above the minimum drag speed. Had there been a step;
1. Manufacturers would have made us aware of it and,
2. We would have had speed instability in that airspeed region.
I find it embarrassing when some of my colleagues believe there is "a step" around cruise speed. It reveals a complete lack of understanding of the most basic principles that govern the flying abilities of our offices.
[ 31 July 2001: Message edited by: Vmu ]