NNewcomb wrote on Mar 19^th, 2012 at 5:18pm:

Yes, I did have the TOGA mode engaged, But I decided to use the throttle manually on departure, I used to always use EPR on T/O but once I got in the air, it would engage the SPD HOLD and set the A/T to about 135-140 knots. I engaged the A/T at about 1-2,000' AGL, which is where it all went wrong. I saved my flight after I backed off the gate, so I'll try it again this weekend. I would try it earlier but it's an 8HR flight. (KMIA-SBGL)

The problem I have, if I decide to use manual throttles to take off, is that once I turn the A/T on, my joystick throttle slider can still override the throttles, so I can't pull the slider back to idle without pulling the engines back to idle as well (the A/T slowly pushes the throttles forward), which is not good while you are climbing. For this reason, I am more comfortable using TOGA.

Mark