Originally Posted by TonyC

I'm not saying that the takeoff configuration is inherently unsafe. I believe it has advantages and disadvantages. It would be nice to have it as a selectable option based on the particuar circumstances of weather, weight, runway, and terrain considerations. As it is, we have no choice, we had no warning, and most pilots have only performed takeoffs with that configuration very rarely, if ever. Some Captains might even evaluate a takeoff with that configuration as one of those circumstances where he should, per FOM advice, perform the takeoff instead of the FO.

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