Originally Posted by
Vessbot
You're mistaken, "climbing" (or, put more precisely) elevator/AOA control always controls speed. Of course, under the likely MCAS scenario discussed, they did not have AOA control and the airspeed was running away from them.
And thrust always controls vertical flight path, so if they reduced thrust they would have only hit the ground sooner. In a desperate fight for altitude, "piloting" would dictate maximum thrust.
But more speed when your stab trim is too nose down is your enemy. Reduction in speed would reduce the force to counter the nose down trim so 'piloting' would dictate reducing speed.