I think there should be more information to criticize the captain, who knows what problems else might have been on that aircraft... I personally wouldnt be keen to make 1500NM gear down over water, considering OEI, or decompression, or encountering severe wheater (other than icing!). Maybe the reason somehow something private. It's interesting only few question the attitude of the airline, and as mentioned, it wouldnt change anything anyway. BTW, does anybody know if it was an expat?