It's another case of how little difference the size of a business or organisation is, there is always one man who has overriding powers. Very well dealt with by ATC. I'm sure if any of the US airlines were still on the ground (doubt it at 13.30), they would be distraught to hear a fellow American acting so unprofessionally.
It reminds me of something referee Graham Poll once said: "You can buy the biggest football clubs in the world, you can buy the best players, but only one man has control of that team's destiny."
Or something like that!
