This one seems to crop up on PPrune fairly regularly: I have never met any FA's who have not fully understood the legal and published vcommand chain. Really, I haven't. I sometimes wonder whether they really exist, or whether they are merely perceived to exist by one or two flight crew who lack self-confidence? I also think that this perception may be more likely when the senior FA (The "In Charge") is a male.
I call all pilots "Boss" when on the jet. Firstly because they are, and secondly because it lets them know, that I know they are.. (if you can follow that thought through, you haven't had enough gin!).
Facinating thread - thanx Flaps - maybe we can lay this one to rest once and for all.
