I am finding this all very hard to believe. You shouldn't fly if u are hungover or dont generally feel up to it.
Not even knowing what a transponder is, is just appauling, its even in the theory exams.
Also, if he doesn't know what VMC means makes me feel so ashamed that we have pilots like this flying around in the UK.
If a pilot cannot handle the pressure, he should seriously reconsider.
I have been under pressure on many flights, but I have kept calm throughout (even during a radio failure on my skills test).