During takeoff roll, I've got more important things to watch than an airplane that I'll probably be overtaking. Especially with the newer takeoff profiles we're using (early acceleration), I would be disinclined to accept responsibility for spacing unless the conditions were optimal. How fast was the 727 climbing? What was the visibility? How heavy/light am I, and do I expect to have trouble seeing him with my pitch attitude and climb rate?
I can't say that the above paraphrased response from the heavy driver was the most diplomatic, but I can't fault him for declining to accept a clearance based on him being able to maintain visual separation.
I wonder who could have been operating 727s and DC-10s.
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