It's worth mentioning that the law of the land and the regs haven't changed in regard to the captain's authority - s/he is just as empowered as they have always been BUT attitudes from third parties (crew, company, service providers etc.) have changed so s/he is questioned/pressured/held to account more. I think it's also true across society - we question authority figures (doctors, politicians, etc.) more than we used to, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but they often still have the same decision-making authority they always.
Last edited by bucket_and_spade; 22nd Sep 2012 at 07:23.