I for one think the idea of safety pilot is a great idea for GA pilots especially when the safety pilot has airline experience as they typically have seen a lot more than most of us have in the course of their flying careers.
@practicallybroke - given that this is posted in the Private Flying thread I don't think this is depriving anyone of the opportunity to develop their careers. To the best of my knowledge most of the complex singles and light twins are single pilot operation so you cannot claim hours for sitting in the right hand seat unless you are instructing (which this is not)