On stand awaiting departure from Bristol to sunnier climes.
"Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your First Officer speaking. All passengers are aboard, the baggage is loaded, we are ready for pushback the paperwork done and we have clearance for start up. We are however short of one fairly vital asset. That of a Pilot. Our proposed Captain called in sick this morning and as I speak, a substitute is wolfing his breakfast as he drives frantically to the airport. As soon as he joins us we can be away."
A few minutes later a red-faced and out of breath Captain came hurtling up the stairs. The cabin door was shut before he had reached the flight deck, within certainly less than two minutes we were being pushed back prior to taking off.
I did wonder about the legailty of the flight, being that the Captain had clearly no input in the flight plan or any other of the procedures in pre- flight checks.
But we were just pleased to be on our way. The airline BTW was BA/GO about which more perhaps later.