That's absolute horse crap. Flying here (fdx) is like a good investment strategy; the closer to retirement the more conservative you should fly. Sorry, but with mgts track record of backing up their pilots you can't afford to let FOs have free reign as sad as that is or as much as you'd like to. Can't take the risk. Personally I have a pretty good feel of a guys competency beginning right at the preflight desk and as the man up progresses. All factors in how comfortable I am with an FOs "abilities". Luckily we have very very few that I worry about, but some Captains may have a different comfort level. Your buddy and you may not agree with said Captain's methods, but that's what seniority is about; when you get there do as you wish.