KenV wrote:

That works in non-mountainous terrain.  In Afghanistan, flying above the manpad threat in many areas means flying well above 30,000 feet.

And what is the problem with that? The A300 has a service ceiling of 40,000 feet and the very highest mountains in afghanistan are around 21-22,000 feet. Anyway it is highly unlikely a raghead is going to be sitting on a mountain top hoping for a lucky shot   Aruond airports like you also mention is a lot more likely.