@ fireflybob:
We have a very structured way of doing this which works very well.
- CTLs are perfectly safe so long as pilots are trained and checked in how to do them and also aware of knowing how to go around if unable to maintain the required visual reference.
In re point 1: Particularly if adhered to.
Command climate/company internal culture are factors the flying public are too often blind to. In this case those factors may remain opaque. One hopes not.
In re point 2: This brings us back to qualificatino, training, currency, and proficiency ...