In speaking to the pilots who were on the flight deck, as well as reading the report, I do concur that this was an unfortunate incident that, as said, could have happened to anyone.
Was it right to go back to Hong Kong? CRM is an important issue, but when the only conclusive evidence is that of a junior flight attendent hearing an odd noise is quite daunting to say the least.
They had gone through several avenues in order to make sure their decision was the right one. Possibility of a tailstrike? Sure. In hindsight, I would have gone back myself, but hindsight, afterall, is 20/20. And in this situation, I highly doubt any amount of training would have produced a clear and conclusive answer in how to respond to such a scenario (just by looking at the amount of differing opinion in regards to this incident says it all, among veteran and junior line pilots alike).
Let's be fair here, as fellow aviators, it is a given right to discuss issues at hand to enhance safety in the future. But let's try to refrain from judicious slander and other sorts of statements that do nothing but to rile up other readers of this forum.