Originally Posted by
ethicalconundrum
Would I be out of line speculating that the decision on whether to proceed or return was NOT made by the guy/gal sitting in the left front seat of the flight? I doubt he/she(PIC) would even know that the needed equip at destination was avail before loading the meatsacks. Be interesting to sort out who knew what when(so to speak).
I don't think you'd be out of line at all. Obviously, the pilot isn't in a position to know that what towbars are available at an outstation. I would expect that the realization was made by whomever on the ground, brought to the attention of their operations folks and the decision to return to Chicago was already made when it was communicated to the flight crew.