Deadheader and others,
Q1 and 2
We will never ever know what they knew for certain. However the post by safetypee an xcitation are excellent possible answers, they knew not where they were.
All these pilots and I can include colgan in this reacted in a way they thought was correct.
None of them realised the situation they were in and reacted using gut instinct.
No amount of legidlation or "protection" can protect against this.
Air france thought overspeed.
Colgen thought .... well we don't know but he fought to maintain height overriding stike push etc.
This one? Well we cannot know, and there is no cvr transcription worth a damn to analyse.
I was always tought
FIRST SIT ON HANDS