I worked with the things for about 13 years - I understood them as well as anybody - I have a fairly good reputation in the business. I could rectify the defects but the just had more defects than most.My own opinion is that too many British designers were involved and as usual made the thing more complex and difficult to maintain. Cracking hydraulic lines,ruptured pneumatic ducts etc were a daily problem.The hydraulic fittings were unique to Lockheed and the lines were installed at assembly so that in some cases the only way to remove them was to cut them into short pieces.The APU was the work of a lunatic -the control system was supposed to make it possible to parallel the generator with the engine generators.On more than one occasion I have seen the turbine blades emerge in a shower of sparks when the main engine start button was pushed - spectacular and expensive!
As far as 411a is concerned, I suspect he and I have met as I believe we worked for Saudia and Air Atlanta at the same time.
His perspective is from the point of view of a pilot - I dont think I have met a pilot that did not like to fly the Tristar - good handling is one of the benefits of having British nationals involved in the design.