MOOSP-True, the o-rings were missing from all three 1011 engines.
As for the 744 Captain, I cannot judge his decision. If, however, he has any second thoughts about the resulting long flight, can we assume that if an engine fails or is shutdown in a future, similar situation, that he will face no punishment from his employer if he then decides to divert within an hour or two following the shutdown? There are numerous cities out in the Rocky Mountains which are "special airports' and into which you do not want to ever divert, unless you have smoke in the cabin etc. Eagle (EGE) Colorado is very hazardous [757 crews train each year specifically for this one airport! LDA, glideslope....]. Unless you are familiar, Jackson Hole (WY), might be another. Missoula and Kalispell (MT) are on my list, possibly Bozeman. Many have no control tower operation late at night and unforecast weather can be quite a surprise, because of lakes nearby.
