OGAH, I agree with your observations about the bloke in the pub.
So far it's all smoke and mirrors without proven facts, except she's definitely missing.
At those dizzy heights, even in the cruise, you may start feeling the buffets coming on, but not being able to tell whether they are hi- or lo-speed buffet. Never mind increased loading with zoom climbs or steep turns. Scary.
I have thought about what if I were paxing in the same situation. What can I do, even with all my aviation skills and knowledge ? Sitting ducks. Even more scary.