The Captain of any flight is not the "be all, end all" authority on the initiation of that flight (there are DOs, CPs, Dispatchers, etc. etc. who also SHARE this authority/responsibility), if the company wishes to accept the possible consequences, as outlined by the captain prior to departure (for instance, an increased likelihood that he flight may be forced to divert or return to the origin once enroute), then it is a pilots responsibility to accept the work that he is assigned and conduct it to the best of their ability, it is also his responsibility to turn around and return or divert if that becomes necessary at a later point.
Initiation and continuation/operation are two different concepts. If the plane is able to get in the air safely and legally (albeit with possible operational restriction and consequences which should be communicated by the CA) then if the company wishes to operate that flight is it up to the CA to do so.
Let me make sure I'm reading this right, cause I really am a ditchdigger, but I come here to learn, and I try not to ask stupid questions--If the Captain and the company aren't certain that the flight can get to its destination, but the company is willing to bet that it'll be able to land
somewhere, that's good enough?
