No lazy practices...no reliance on somebody you do not trust in all the human chain. As Commander/PIC...that 'trust' was only ever delegated to someone I had personally shown how to do a 'proper' walkaround/preflight external checks. After pre-flight confirmation, I asked pertinent questions to those I trusted. To make extra-sure, I often was at the a/c while the F/O was checking wx and gathering the paperwork. So, I used to do a good pre-flight before they got there and noted any discrepancies. (A bit like my early training-as above). If the F/O's walkabout (used to be F/E) didn't match mine...then we'd have a CRM chat and then go look at the issue.
Your CRM, did it stand for Captain's Right Mate?
