As much as I hate to agree with Millerscourt he is in fact CORRECT...
A wilful violation of SOP led to the incorrect TOW being picked up. The lack of loadsheet confirmation procedure - and therefore missing the huge disrepency weights - led to the near loss of 250 people. I'm surprised how many of you seem to be condoning the actions of the two operating pilots here
As for the augmenting guys - they are supposed to be tired. The 345 FCOM is very clear in that it's a TWO pilot operation. Left Coaster - whatever you did in the past on DC8s or whatever is TOTALLY irrelevant to EK operations!!! If I'm operating PIC I tell the augment guys to stay out of the flightdeck until doors close... If I'm augmenting I will stay out anyway. I will however take a glance at the speeds and flex as I take my seat!
Even with distractions we have to maintain our professionalism! Period!