Originally Posted by
roulishollandais
Could Asseline refuse to do that scheduled flight, presold to the Newspapper l'Alsace and their readers, without to be fired by Air France ?
Almost certainly. Asseline wasn't the only senior A320 captain at AF, so it would likely have simply passed to someone else on the duty roster.
Let's not beat about the bush here - Most indications (mainly thinking of the apparent confidence on the CVR) prior to the accident convey that Asseline was more than happy to operate the flight. His later (and IMO correct) view that the preparation was poorly handled seems to be a case of 20/20 hindsight.