Interesting thread about tail strikes.

First I have over 35 years doing this stuff and mostly in Boeings. The 727 (strectch & Advanced) was and is the queen of tailstrikes and I never hit a one. Why because we rotated slow and flew the airplane into the air.

Today the B767-300 and 400 are the queens and again (tail strike less than 9 degrees body angle), never hit a one.

It's all in the technique and ya got to stop the big 3+ degree takeoff rotation rates and the big energy depleting "flares" on landing. The 727 "check and roll" works on every Boeing I have ever flown and will roll them all on nicely, yes even in the shortest runways (Orange County and JAC).

"Power checks from 100 back to 80 kias.(Not really sure what that accomplished. except an earlier alert to VR and VLOF??)"

For you and all the CAL guys and gals out there the 80 knot "thrust set" call is because the A/T system goes to hold and an abort above this activates RTO and the spoilers. So why 100knots?