If it's true that the compromised door seal was apparent as the aircraft climbed, and that this was drawn to the crew's attention, then that does reflect poorly on their training - if it was apparent to a passenger it should have been apparent to the crew, and should have been escalated to the flight deck.
The decreased pressurisation rate should also have been apparent from the instruments, so it's surprising that the a/c continued to climb if the passenger's story that the sound of the inadequate door seal was plain is accurate.
