Its painfull, what is the guy/girl doing checking you on an aircraft if they come up with a stupid comment like that. They obviously don't know much about that aircraft or aircraft engines in general.
The other thing that we are all forgetting is the fact that many of these gauges are very old and you are very lucky if they are reading accuratley all the time.
I am also enclined to agree with most of you, keep the engine running cooler and look after it because one day you may need it to run very hot for a while (E/F after T/O) and its then that you will be thanking your lucky stars for looking after that engine.
As far as reducing the power as soon as you are airbourne, remember the most common time for an engine failure to occur is on the first power reduction. I would rather be at 500' plus prior to that happening.
splat