I had just boarded a flight and was called on my cellphone (doors were still open by the way!) by my client to say the meeting was cancelled and there was no need for me to travel anymore. This was not exactly a short hop, it was a FRA - BOG ..... Anyway I told an FA and she called the CSD over and said that the circumstances did not justify letting me off the 'plane even at that stage. I got the feeling that if I'd acted hysterical or been really pushy they might have yielded, but that would obviously not have been appropriate or honest.
Admittedly I also had an ulterior motive in wanting to go to Colombia, one not connected with my work (nothing to do with white powder), so I was quite pleased at the thought of being able to have a paid trip there, and a long weekend, with no work ...... good old days those were!!!