Pax speaking.
Let us presume that there was no previous acrimonious interchange between the flight and cabin crew. Let us presume that all was harmony ...
The CC observe frosting and they are used to looking at the upper side of the wings a fair amount, whilst FC tend to look at the underside (!). In suggesting that a de-ice is required, the CC would KNOW the implications of cost and possible delay.
One of the FC need only step out of their office and walk down the aisle to have the CC show them their concern and can then make a decision. So - how do they get themselves into this mess?
Not for me to speculate but US Air has completely failed to understand how much bad publicity this can generate for them. Quite apart from sorting out their CRM problem, it would have saved them a bundle in
PR if they had fixed this when the crew got into Phoenix. Whilst I am not contemplating a trip to the US this year, to any US Air staff reading this, you move down the rankings. Better tell your bosses to talk to the staff. Or is that the real problem?