about the point of pilots playing with their pax life:
yes pilots have a duty of care to take into consideration the pax life, but surely they will not put them into a "dangerous situation" as one obvoius non pilot has put it, when the pilots own life is at risk??
why would a pilot take a more risky decission as whatever outcome that happens to the passengers, will be the same outcome for him. he is in the same tube as them at the end of the day...
i suggest you stop saying what you think of the situation when you have proved that the only knowledge of the airline industry you have, is that you sit down and wait for cabin crew to ask if you want chicken or beef.