Originally Posted by
readywhenyouare
The captain is not in full command of the aircraft until it has left the gate. He/she can refuse to fly for X reason but the gate agent and dispatch are also in control as long as it now attached to the jetway. Years ago I witnessed a CVG gate agent put a captain in his place. He kept whining about wanting to depart early and the gate agent told him the plane wasn't going anywhere until she said so. ��
The GA, and presumably dispatch, sided with the captain, as people were kicked off the plane.
Just because the captain doesn't have full command, doesn't mean the FA can overrule the captain. You're saying the GA can overrule the captain. Assuming that's true (I'm not disputing), the FAs recourse is to talk to the GA, not overrule the captain directly to the pax. The FA still does not have authority to overrule the captain, even if other people have authority to overrule.