'exec /bin/bash --login' in ~/.profile

[Marc Girod]

Hello,

I am using bash on my target host.
I set a ~/.profile containing only:

  exec /bin/bash --login

I open a remote file, and from this buffer, run "M-x shell".
This gives me a bash shell, but which did not read my .bash_profile.

I came to do this because of being stuck in a situation such as:

  Tramp: Found remote shell prompt on `eieatx009'
  tramp-get-remote-id: Couldn't find a POSIX `id' command

I am sure this is only transient, but I didn't want to restart emacs,and
couldn't figure how to clean up this condition.

Is my exec idea above a bad one? I don't find it mentioned in the info user
manual (2.1.18-23.2)

Thanks,
Marc