I can't believe this thread has gone on for so long, seems to me there is a lot of uniformed opinion here interlaced by those who clearly thru flying the 744 for a number of years and have the experience, and those that have clearly been in this situation before and have given us a clear insight into the necessary actions that need to be taken when a 744 goes down to 3 engines.
Therefore I can't see why there is a need by individuals to stir, snipe and dig and quite frankly has turned what should have been and interesting, insightful and informative post into a complete joke.
The BA SOP is to get the plane back to base where it is safe to do so, those doing the flying have clearly worked out what is safe and what isn't and at no point during the flts in question was anyone in any danger......why can't it simply be left at that?