Take-Off!
Matblack,
What you hear while riding in the back is not reduced power, followed by max power. It is normal to 'stand up' the power levers, pause, check for stable power and the rest of the parameters, then advance to either reduced/flex power or to max power.
As for the Karachi special out of Manchester I too have seen that one and would like to see the thing run over some scales prior to take-off?? They are using MAX POWER all the way. They stand at the end to get all engines up to max power and then release the brakes. It is a max effort take off for them at the weights they are using.
It is surprising that the CAA have not shown an interest in that operation a long time ago, but then it is usually in the evening when the CAA are in bed/pub!!