[Philip]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

The problem is that you're leaving a somewhat plowed, improved surface with some braking action to an uneven unplowed surface with a chance of zero braking action, maybe even filled with other suprises to impact during your deceleration -- which compounds the situation.

There was an MD-80 in CMH that landed off the runway that was probably 15 feet from a complete hull loss, if not multiple injuries/fatalities about a year ago.

Your best bet, under most circumstances, in my opinion, is to stay on the runway surface.

if you've got collapsible blocks or a large runoff area without buildings/cars/trees I'd agree.