As a fairly long retired pilot, I would be interested to know who does make the rules for flight deck visits or lack thereoff. Is it the airline as part of their "approved" ops manual or is it the law of the land"?
With regard to "bending the rules", I'm sure many, perhaps most of us have, at some time, but in my case only if my "right hand man" was happy and if WE felt it was a safe and expedient action in the interests of the flight. Does anyone know what the first officer/co-pilot thought? If he was in agreement, then presumably he also faced some kind of disciplinary board. If he did'nt agree or wasn't consulted, what chance CRM?