I can agree with all of that....especially the part where rigid adherence to procedures without full understanding of what they do not tell you, being the key to long life and a rugby football looking Liver.
The most enjoyable teaching I did was in Simulators.....usually the most effective way of doing so was by having a cuppa tea while those being trained watched the in-flight video of their flight which had just ended in tears. Upon their completion of the entertainment one could then begin anew without the obstacle to learning they had arrived with....that being we are the "Bee's Knees" because of who we work for and how perfect we are in every way.
I watched one very good exercise when a fellow instructor had pointed out a small minor flaw in a Bell 212 Emergency Procedure our company in common held to be much better than which was being taught. I had recused myself due to one of the two being trained....as he and I did not swap Christmas Cards after sharing a house in Warri for two years.
The question centered around what to do if one had a Runaway Up on one engine while at a hover.....we suggested the Company Procedure if followed would result in a massive overspeed and subsequent major expenditure for new bits. The procedure said to land immediately and sort out the problem.
The thought there were more than one way that Runaway Up could occur had not been considered. One cause does not respond to throttle reduction....which means the Main Rotor can reach a surprisingly high number if the aircraft is sat on the ground at minimum pitch.
Immediately upon telling my instructor buddy....."We know bloody well what we are doing....your job is to run the Simulator...not criticize our procedures!"
You know what happened next.....Peter B and the two of us in the rear, got a huge laugh out of the results, and someone else got really red ears!
Teach'em to think....and accept one can and should learn from everyone he shares a cockpit with....that is the secret to long life in our profession.