Originally Posted by E2CMaster

Question. As a Captain, how much authority do you have "nip stupidity in the bud" to put it mildly.

When a I was HAC (Helicopter Aircraft Commander) and CAPC (Carrier AEW Plane Commander), my authority on a plane I signed for, internal to the plane and external as far as safety of flight, destination/divert/etc was more or less absolute. If I had a H2P or 2P (think FO) who was doing stupid stuff, or anyone in the back getting out of line, what I said more or less was law. Granted, I only had to lay down the hammer a handful of times in 13 years, but even when I was a LTJG (O-2) HAC flying with a LCDR(O-4, who was a Boat Driver to pilot transition) H2P, what I said, went.

As far as making the FO "cut that out" what realistic authority do you have without getting in trouble as a Captain, regardless of what the FARs say about the subject?