Never ceases to amaze me about the attitude of some pilots.
If this guy really wanted a command,was deadly serious and thought he was up to the task then he should have accepted the promotion and posting.
Walking into an office enquiring as to your command expectations,being offered a position and walking out with egg on your face doesnt seem to cut it in my book.
If true then this is a cop-out and Im sure the gent in management would have thought the same.
But then again you never know,commands may dry up and he may be an F/O to quite a forseeable period.
The lesson here is (and experience dictates) if offered a command and you are up to the challenge - accept it.