Non-PC
Concur absolutely. It is impossible to see the pilot flying's hands from the IOS seat if you are strapped in. It is necessary to ensure that the pilot is using the various trim functions correctly.
Observing the flying pilot's facial expression I also consider an essential part of managing the workload effectively. Whoever designed the 3000 series I bet he was a fixed wing man. He certainly never worked as an SFI/SFE. As for certification protocols - that's joke number two.
G.