I did not express myself properly, yes I agree with you on checking them a number of times at first.
This is a very important reminder, thanks.
In general though, after that first period, mine have tended to stay tight for years, but along with periodical checking of bolts in general, its certainly worth a check now and again.
In the case I mentioned of a cleat coming off the shoe and remaining in the pedal, if there had not been a place where I could borrow a pair of pliers to firmly grip and twist the cleat out of the pedal, it wasn't coming out easily....
+1
Your friend is lucky that the cleat came free of the shoe. If it is just loose, the cleat may not unclip. This may cause more of a problem at low airspeed. Unfortunately, I'm speaking from experience
I carry one extra cleat bolt in my tool kit. One of my wife's cleats has a 4 mm shim under it due to leg length differences. It is almost impossible to find a replacement bolt the correct length at the usual sources. However, if push came to shove, I'd remove the shim, and use standard size bolts.