"Paul Sengupta" wrote in message
...

This may have been after they started rolling and the 1st officer tried
to question whether they had actually been cleared for take-off.

The big thing is that the words "take-off" can now not be used other
than "cleared for take-off". It may be the case that the Dutch captain
heard the words "cleared" and "take-off" and thought that was his cue
to go.


ATC never used the C-word. While PanAm was still taxiing on the runway KLM
was told, "OK. Standby for takeoff. I will call you." KLM then began
takeoff roll, ATC's next transmission was to PanAm:

ATC: "Roger. Pan Am 1736, report the runway clear."

Pan Am: "OK. Will report when we are clear."

ATC: "Thank you."

The KLM CVR recorded the copilot saying to the captain, "Did he not clear
the runway then?" "Oh yes" was the captain's reply as he continued his
takeoff.