Tim, I'm glad you had the pleasure of getting rid of the "Wabbit", but I wouldn't know where to begin in getting a family photo to take it's place.  If you get that answer, let me know.

I will also try a departure from Bogata to Mexico City flight and see what happens.  I'll let you know.
Make sure you are loaded lightly.  I would imagine, in a situation of taking off at 8000', you would have to be light since the air is getting thin right from the start.
You figure by the time you climb two or three thousand feet, oxygen is required.
I noticed even with other planes that when reaching over FL370 things started getting a little squirrelly, but I think it is because I still had to much weight in fuel.
I believe you have to burn off some weight before reaching the high altitudes.