Had this happen about 18 months ago flying down from Glasgow. Left the lounge before the boarding announcement, to see our Airbus surrounded by the airport fire service. Hastily retreated back to the lounge, fully expecting a cancellation only to get a boarding announcement 15 or so minutes later. Once we were all on board Captain came out of the cockpit and made his announcement from the front of CE stating that there had been a small hydraulic leak, dripping onto hot brakes etc. Leak had been repaired and he was fully confident in flying us down to LHR. Was a nice touch and certainly settled the nervous flyers.

Another time, maybe 15 years ago flying Knoxville to Washington with United Express, Captain was down on the tarmac greeting all the passengers at the bottom of the stairs, randomly shouting out far flung exotic destinations. Most people got a good giggle out of it apart from one older couple who said "We've been sent down to the wrong plane, we are going to Washington not Rio" He then did his pre flight brief from the cabin assuring all that we were going to Dulles today and that our Dash 8 did not have the fuel range for Rio.