Fair enough SLICE however dont you think it shows even a little bit of unprofessionalism.
Rules are designed to prevent people from ultimately killing themselves or others. Why should it be OK to bend the rules in one place and not the other.
For most the rumours are as you said 7th hand however it could be easy for some pilots to develop a John Wayne mentality which they carry on further into their careers.
As you said in your last paragraph, why should we here of young inexperienced pilots being killed. It just should not happen!