This thread brings to mind when I was first encountered pax loading/no flight crew.
I had been called out on standby, about 45 mins from the airport I get a phone call:
OPS: Hi, We are just loading the pax, how much fuel do you want.
ME: As the FO is already there, ask him for a provisional figure.
OPS: Err, your FO is also on his way to the airport.
ME: Better ask the guy in charge for the fuel figure then.
OPS: But thats you!
ME: Nope, the guy who authorised the pax boarding is in charge, ask him. I'll look at it in the crew room, with the FO, when we have both seen all the briefings and route. Bye.
Of course this was in the days before we had a proper procedure, even when it was brought in, the Commander still had to be consulted prior to boarding and an engineer had to be present at all times.