donzaemon wrote:
How does the controller know you won't have a problem and not get off
the runway ?

Experience. But if you miss an exit he'll just cancel the takeoff
clearance and have the MD80 hold in position.


I'm not sure what the regulations technically say about it but it
doesn't sound right logically.

Nothing wrong with what the controller did.


A better policy would be to give position & hold until the other plane
is actually in the process of turning off, then when some clear action
toward the turnoff is commenced, anticipate it as cleared and give a
takeoff clearance.


That's using more separation than needed and is inefficient.