Having made ump-teen T.O.'s and Lndgs at LAX in a Twin Otter DHC-6 300
back in the early eighties I'm really familliar with responding to the tower
with "waive the non-heavy" and get us the heck outta here.  There is no way
to waive a HEAVY if you are a baby airplane, ie, under 12.5k lbs. or a tiny
jet type.  They cannot clear you and all should know it cannot be accepted
as a T.O. clearance.
And on that bright note the occasional hard pressed controller will
sometimes say "cleared for take-off or depart the runway".  Personally, I
think that phrase should be strickened from the TERPS manual as a tower
response.  It is patently improper and apparently has caused yet another
accident.
  It is hell to sue the FAA and since there were no fatalities not too many
attornies will take the case on a contingency basis.  But, Bill, you should
make a claim of some sort if only to make them see the light of day.  Oh,
and thank you Pres. Regan for firing all the controllers...  Well, we should
be happy we do have open airspace and a great country whos government allows
us the freedom to fly and build.
Walter Dodson  IV-P N990Y coming out of Jim Griffin's upholstery shop around
Labor Day.  Who is gonna be at the BBQ?