SYDGIRL,
I like your idea completey and regardless of what other ppruners may say I have seen first hand this already take place many times. I have seen DH3's go out with 36 pax on and 1 f/a and return the same, if other people try to book on it then tough luck - it can only go out with 36 pax. It does currently happen " occasionaly ".
I had a pax put his hand in my face the other day when I asked him if he was happy to remain seated in the exit row...the response was " listen....mate.....I fly on these aircraft twice a week ".........I then asked the pax to close his eyes and tell me how to open the emergency exit, do you think he knew what to do ? Nope.
I guess what I am trying to say is that you can't trust ABP's all the time ( even the ones who "think" they know what they are doing).......god help 50 pax on a DH3 when the solo f/a becomes incapacitated and the pax have to rely on themselves to initiate and evacuation.
Cabinboy