iirc the Malaysian flight had in the cockpit a pilot that was hitching a ride, who figured out what was going on but too late. He knew about the MCAS. Had they

iirc the Malaysian flight had in the cockpit a pilot that was hitching a ride, who figured out what was going on but too late. He knew about the MCAS. Had they vocally stated something about the AoA sensor early on, or had he caught a glimpse of the message, perhaps he could have intervened sooner. For the Ethiopian flight, you're right. They likely wouldn't have known what to do with that information. But it might have prompted them to get on the radio and ask someone, or consult a certain part of the manual (assuming there was any relevant information there.. I don't know). It certainly seems like crucial information. And even in the small chance it could have made a difference, the absence of it is critical