Yup I admit that I do different things when the bird is empty as opposed to when others (that includes any FA) are on board, being stupid with my life is one thing, being stupid with someone elses is entirely different.
However, bottom line is that while I have had enjoyed some liberties with an empty cabin my life is far more important to me then "seeing what she can do" or "giving it a try", for that matter its more important then keeping my job and/or certificate.
I don't mean to disrespect the dead here but at some point there are only two options to draw conclusions from:
1) one of two pilot pulls their head outta their ass and does something during the long long chain of bad ideas to fix the problem or
2) they are both idiots that got exactly what their actions deserved (this is a classic example or every action has an opposit and equal reaction)

I know that sounds harsh and IMO their idiot problem isn't that they went to FL410 and flamed out the engines, its that they tried to cover it up, wasted 14 mins before they lied to ATC, still tried to cover it up and then didnt do what was required of them. They had 41,000 feet to find an airport!!!!!! I'm not happy they died nor do I wish it on anyone, but to overlook their mindset and complete disrepect for the airplane is outright foolishness. They were the only cause of their death and they have noone to blame but themselves.