What say me ?

I actually agree with you in the spirit of your post. Before UPS I was a Capt for three years on both the 757/747. Now as a lowly junior F/O UPS, I still try to maintain a professional level similar to that of a Capt, with the diplomacy of a humble F/O. I always ask the Capt, "Hey, you gonna eat that" before I grab the dessert off his crew meal, and other subtlties like that.

The guy/girl sitting in the left seat is not necessarily there because of their experience, but because they are senior to you and have earned that spot based on proven experience with that company. Hopefully in your friend's case, he can take his experience and augment his crew's experience to ensure each flight is operated safely and on-time in an efficient manner.

Now you want to talk about insulting, imagine being an MD80 Capt one day and furloughed the next. I'll leave that Grizzly Bear to sleep. But in these days in times, I'm glad to hear your is just getting bounced back, not bounced out.

FF