Why would LLMs not have access to the breadth of operational experience that is out there in user guides, specifications, forums, blogs, logs, observability platforms and such?

And if it does, why is it not as good an operator as any other? Why is operation distinct from creation, especially with so much DevOps and IaaC stuff around?

Well the LLM might well have read all operating procedures etc. - just like the teenager - but it has not *experienced* issues himself/herself/itself. If you look at the published statements about "AI deleted my..." those AI models clearly knew what went wrong AFTER they caused it...