It doesn't say whether the light was illuminated or not, just that he didn't like it - wrong place for cockpit ergonomics perhaps, or maybe it didn't come on quickly enough when tested?
The 'spooked' thing is a bit much too - he's going to need some refresher training, being led back into the cockpit gently by a HR expert saying "Come on big fella, it's OK, it's just a warning light - you can do it!"