Airmanship defeated by FAA Media Fears
As a 744 P2, it seems that since BA's sensible continuation on 3 engines LAX-UK the 'journo' factor has changed the game somewhat, viz:
Airmanship-based decisions to continue to/near dest via oceanic/remote route (surely the whole point of having 4 motors in the first place) are now the subject of ill-informed media pressure on National Regulator (eg FAA - next time use some bloody common - you lot certificated the jet in the first place!)
BA are to be respected for supporting the Commander's decision in the public domain.
Just as valid is the QF Crew's decision to return to LAX in the light of new CASA guidance (another regulator buckling in public?). Just wonder if the Crew would have preferred, in the absence of such overbearing regulation, to continue across part/all of the ocean, assuming fuel etc permitted...