They didn’t have to zoom to FL450 (45,000 feet), two thousand feet above the service ceiling to put the passengers out, even with the supplemental oxygen masks deployed. They could have put them out at a much lower cabin altitude, using manual pressurization and the outflow valve.
But if they did, that was a really ballsey move.
Maybe they needed a violent maneuver or two to throw off the flight attendants — make them think there was an emergency and have them take their seats — maybe even make a PA announcement. Meanwhile they’re all slowly (or quickly depending on the cabin altitude) passing out in the back. Still, FL450 put them in danger of losing complete control, and wasn’t required in any circumstance.
Speculation either way.
How did you come up with the gold theory?
The gold theory was on the report on television where I live in Europe.