After reading through the whole post I thought of abandoning it but started to read the NTSB reports instead.
reference to the FCOM
http://www.ntsb.gov/dockets/aviation...075/423694.pdf
reference to the NTSB report
DCA08FA075
1st - reacting to an impending stall according to the FCOM (and good airmanship IMO) disconnect A/P and A/T and apply max thrust control pitch to limit altitude loss.
2nd - interesting that it states "at altitudes where performance may be limited" (which I think was the case at FL330) adjust configuration... - which makes me think "SLATS"?!
I would have opted for SLATS as well and given a dar... about overspeed as long as IAS was within limits (270 kt)
I guess that surprise might have been a factor.
And last but not least - another 2 pilots who will know their stuff for the future and I sincerely hope they are not blamed but left in peace contemplating what had happened, being happy to be alive and avoid such things in the future.
And about the DC10/MD10/MD11: I would do a real lot of things to get into an MD-11 (as the 10's may be out of reach today)