LevelFive - Bethune previously worked for Boeing and as far as I'm aware he never flew commercially as a pilot? I do know that he's 757 rated though.
Don't forget Nikki Lauda who also used to fly his aircraft. But would you call him a pilot? No, he's an entrepreneur.
However, I do agree with you that if you're paying someone to do a job, then s/he should be left to get on with that job. Want to load extra fuel because you know there will be wx or hold problems? No problem by me. You're the Captain - you have the experience in that role and that's what you're paid for.