Finbarr:
You obviously started this thread with the intent of throwing a lot of sh*t in the direction of the FR crew who made a perfectly sensible decision to take their problem to Girona. Countless professionals have subsequently made it abundantly clear on this thread that this was a good decision.
Have you changed your mind? Would it have made any difference if the crew and the aircraft had been operated by BA?
I rather suspect that it would have.
Would you like to give us your respected opinion (since you used to be qualified on B757s) as to how the crew of the US Air 757 could have done better when they had to divert 1160 nms with smoke in the cockpit? What would you have done?
Sh*t stirring is easy but decision making is a trifle more difficult.