Originally Posted by cordelli:20900627
Just because they are being asked doesn't mean they have any say in the decision. They could be just getting a feel for what the passengers want should it come that a decision needs to be made.
From what the friend was saying, the FAs took a count, announced that the plane had "voted" to return to gate, and they began taxiing back to the gate moments later. They ended up deplaning and then reboarding a couple hours later.
In general, who does make that decision, when there isn't some external factor forcing it (crew time out, 3 hour rule, etc.)?