Originally Posted by
USwest
Only an opinion but I think that she was not escorted out/fired/whatever because of refusing the aircraft, any pilot has that right. She was escorted out for the PAs she made both in the aircraft and in the terminal. No company would stand by and allow an employee to do that sort of thing in public.
My opinion is that she had a DUTY to do exactly what she did. The FAR's mandate that any PIC has a DUTY to report and make authorities aware of any issues of safety. Telling the passengers on and off the airplane EXACTLY what happened is the best way to have handled it. It's my experience that passengers can handle most anything if they're told the truth. Even if it's ugly or embarrassing - tell the truth. She did that. She was right every step of the way IMO. USAirways stands no chance in hurting her in any way. Her time off will be at the very least a paid vacation. And possibly, a very nice payout indeed.
Carl