Please, do not perpetuate this totally arbitrary "5 excused absences" tripe. Your sick time is yours. Pretty sure the 121 Regs are crystal clear on this and there is no mention of AMS or Sparky the CP.

Remember when it was 7? What will it be next year, 4? And the year after?

With MASSIVE apologies to JFK, "Ask not what your CP wants you to do, ask what your passengers (along with the FAA and your flying partner) expect you to do."