During my tenure at an airline that merged with NWA, I was flying the last flight of the night from ATL-MEI-PIB with the layover in PIB (Pine Belt Regional serving Hattiesburg/Laurel, MS). After departure, the F/O was calling the "on/in/out/off" times to OPS and they informed us a passenger mistakenly got off in MEI and would be kind enough to return to get her? She was an older woman traveling alone and seemed somewhat disoriented.
This was long before the days of ACARS, cell phones or constant communication with Dispatch. I agreed to return and was on the ground less than 5 minutes while only shutting down the left engine to board the grandmotherly passenger. We arrived in PIB early and all was happy until....
About 3 weeks later, I get a call from the Chief Pilot asking me to stop by for a visit. He was in possession of a nicely written letter from the son of the lady commenting how accommodating our crew was to recover his mother. During our visit, the Chief Pilot who was a "true pilot's pilot" was glad we did what we did, but then asked if I got "redispatched" after returning.
Whoopsie... I guess no good deed goes unpunished. The Chief Pilot was supportive of our decision but recommended we contact Dispatch the next time.
I guess what I am trying to say, is use common sense. I will do what is in the best interest of my crew, my passengers and my company. (in that order). If the need dictates a new "in time" then so be it. I will handle the details to start again.
Fly safe,
OC