To me they don't look tense but rather like those who need glasses for reading but don't wear them. Ya know, those keeping the book far away because at normal distance they cannot read it any more ....



The upper spine is a bit bent forward in a normal seated position making the neck sit slightly before the shoulders. That's not the case with the current pilot modell and that's what makes them seem tense.

However, in flight they would not lean forward like in your photos - only if they wanted to gaze through the sights or see something around the cockpit frame me thinks.