without applying RVSM contingency procedures
Good to see the bureaucrats pinging them for that. As if that was the first thing on the captain's mind at the time!
I sympathise with the captain re-entering the cockpit. If the thing was diving towards the ocean I'd be inclined to lean over, pull the power off a bit (ATS off of course!) roll wings level and pull the stick back "firmly but not hard". Hardly the time to get back in seat, put on seat belt, announce in good CRM voice "My controls, Bloggs, you've had your turn" and
then pull out of the dive.
As for the FO, well, he's probably just a product of the system. More of them coming, me thinks. If you don't train them properly, that's what you get. The writing is on the wall.
What's this Control Wheel Steering anyway?
Is the AP in or ain't it?