Originally Posted by
CO FF
You've just reinforced my confusion. I guess I'm asking for an explanation of how it is that the same SE that can take the aircraft from 120mph on the ground to safe flight (stable enough to turn around and land - which is what I presume anyone does if they lose 1 of 2 engines on takeoff), cannot push it along the ground without blowing the luggage carts and catering trucks all over the airport...
In a nutshell yes. There is a big difference between using power in a congested ramp or alleyway, and at takeoff thrust on a runway. We are limited to what is called "Breakaway thrust" when we are in congested areas. This is for the ground personnel safety since jet blast can throw carts around, push people over, knock catering trucks over, etc...so we keep our power to a minimum. With two engines, no problem getting going to taxi speed. With one engine, heavy jet, it can be a chore to get going.
We have a speed called V1 that is our go/no go speed. Below that speed, we abort a takeoff if we lose an engine. Above the speed, we have enough speed attained and runway remaining to accelerate to rotate speed (Vr) get airborne all within the remaining runway. Trying to accelerate on one engine and takeoff below V1 speed may not be possible within the remaining runway.