consultation is a wonderful thing - esp on the Friday before a long weekend!
I would not imagine for a minute that this would sit comfortably with any crew regardless of status (unless of course you're doing a evac out of Afganistan on Christmas Eve...is that what they meant by 'exceptional'!!!!!)
I can just see a keen 20 year old SO head to head with one of the old girls regarding who is in command in the cabin ...could be a whole new meaning to CRM