Flying Southwest, Portland Oregon to LGA with a change who remembers where. It was an early morning flight and we are set for take off. Doors are closed, engine is on and I guess the pilot contacted someone in Southwest for a final approval. It was denied. Apparently the outside of the aircraft had received a thorough cleaning overnight. However, the ninny who may or may not had checked that the mechanical areas of the aircraft to ensure that had to have no water in them, hadn't signed off saying he had checked-- so no clearance to fly. It took over an hour for them to wake someone up and get them to the airport to perform the inspection. Then another 30 minutes inspecting. We were almost 2 hours late in departure. You could see the pilot standing near the now open door to the aircraft. He was visibly steaming. He was up and down the stairs trying to see what was happening.

When we finally took off they went around assuring people who missed connections that they had gotten them alternative flights. BUT, before that the pilot announced, "those of you who are connecting to ___________________( I forget) don't worry, I'M scheduled to fly that one and without me, it isn't leaving!!! Found out latter he was basically fling himself home for a few days!