The allegation that the pilot pushing the wheelchair is NOT the operating Captain is supported by the statement that the operating Captain suffered a broken arm. If true, why would the guy with the broken arm be pushing a wheelchair, especially when other able bodied people are available?
Take the longevity numbers provided by the West Palm Beach News with a grain of salt.
The news probably screwed it up when someone said he's been flying for 30 years, not all with AA.
The 20 year number is probably accurate. Regarding the broken arm; could be small fracture with the pain covered by pure shock. Totally understandable in a breakup as severe as that. Never had a sim session that covered something that bad, and how to handle the aftermath after evacuation.