rubik101, what Turin describes is very much like an airline that we used to handle. So I would disagree that it is a load of tosh and it does happen in the real world. Many a time we have stopped fuelling them for reasons Turin states, but they seem to be a law unto themselves.
Many a time I've walked onto the flt deck and can't see because of the smoke and told them that you WILL be delayed as we are stopping fueling until a) you stop smoking and b) you arm an exit door and position cabin crew by it and sometimes c) stop transmitting on HF.