On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 08:59:35 -0600, Newps wrote:

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

So there's no chance that two things will go wrong? I'm thinking, for
example, of a blown tire in the just-landed aircraft combined with a
communication failure (either "mechanical" or human) which prevents the
aircraft taking off from hearing the clearance cancellation.

How would that sort of thing be handled?

FWIW, I've never received a t/o clearance until someone is clear of the
runway. At best, I'll get "position and hold". But I can start my roll
in a 182 a hell of a lot more quickly than can an MD-80 grin. Makes me
wonder why people bother with the lumbering beasts laugh.

- Andrew