No oven mitts, but they did pass out really cool pens. I am using it now at work.
As far as some of the guys busting the sim ride, I don't have any information. But there were several retired captains who were going to the sim. Most of these guys have been out of a cockpit for over 6 months. Also, they all flew the 767ER.
I know when I went from the 767 to the MD11 it had a reputation as a tough transition. The MD11 does not hand fly very well, mostly due to the LSAS which automatically trims the stab. It is really easy to over control. So if the guys had trouble in the sim I wouldn't be surprised.
But I really like my pen.
Remlap