Originally Posted by AEpilot76

Once in the air, the Captain (PIC) is in command, period. No, he/she can not force you to pray, but he can enforce security related measures if he/she feels it is necessary. Whether it's paranoia or not, the captain can still do it. IF the captain plays the safety/security card, the company, his employer most likely will not have an issue with it. I may not agree with someone enforcing this rule, but asking people to remain seated for 30 minutes out of DCA is hardly comparable to making up checklists.

On AA, captains will often make a pre-flight PA saying that due to a TSA requirement passengers must use the lavatory in their ticketed cabin. That rule only applies to international flights, whats the difference between that and asking people to remain seated 30 minutes outside of DCA? Captains discretion