I never even considered he might fear not passing the checkride.
Wouldn't he have plenty of other checkrides to pass in the normal course of his employment anyway ? They just go with the territory if you want a career as a pilot. I have at least 5 check rides scheduled (and probably several more in reality) between here and the end of the year.
I'd hate to be in the same cockpit as this pilot on a dark and stormy night when it really does get tough !