We have a winner! What has created scenarios like being at 4,000 on down wind and being cleared for a "visual and make short approach" a la Chicago, or airplanes crossing the threshold while the other A/C is just rotating with the continuous encouraging words of ATC "continue approach" or take off clearance coming very slowly while the landing A/C is still with TR's deployed and the T/O A/C is already checking 80kts. by the time the words cleared for take off are actually uttered and the landing A/C bellow 300' on final a la Minneapolis. The pilots, that's who. We keep stretching the boundaries of the meaning of safe distance while padding each other on the back with phrases like "good job" before changing frequencies and the "good job" really means "boy that was close"

It is the gazelle that has given the cheetah its speed