Chopjock:
"if others do it and do it safely, as was the case here,"
I think this is the point that most people disagree with - the majority opinion is that it was done dangerously, not safely.
There is no absolute right and wrong here, just as in the case of the law, but surely you must accept that if the vast majority of people who a) express an opinion and b) have any idea of what they are talking about think that this pilot is a tadge casual as to the safety of his unsuspecting, presumably fare-paying passengers, then there is something in it?