> This is annoying, and I think it needs to be fixed.

It is also broken, at least on my machine. For some reason, my ATAPI
tape drive rejects the first attempt to set a mode, but complies with
the second attempt. I have confirmed that it isn't the actual mode
parameters causing a problem by adding a retry count to the mode setting
code (this was a nasty hack, so children, please don't try this at
home).

I haven't had time to look at wtf my tape drive is rejecting mode set
attempts.

Cheers,
Lloyd