I never said optional, and it's the CAPTAINS ultimate decision, can you read? Having a new hire bump a guy going to work is at the very least, bad taste. It won't happen on many planes. I check every flight to make sure EVERYONE can get on. Look sparky, .....your are a guest until you pass you check ride, albeit an invited one. Whats so hard about understanding nuance? The training department is NOT in charge of Vol. 1 or 2. They can blather all they want, they are chalked full of ex-management Knut suc ckers any how. Change the book, or obey it. This isn't even up for discussion. The CPO has tried to assert their influence in this area and it's just that, an opinion. They cannot overrule FARS. ANY NEWBIE preventing a F9 line pilot from getting to work, citing "observation ride". Is bluffing his way on. Unfortunately, we have some baffons that would leave a line holder guy at the gate. Just not this one....capice?