.............a certain BOAC Capt would only speak to the cabin crew via the FO.
You mean he SPOKE to the cabin crew ?
As S.O./ Nav. in the jump seat for take off, I witnessed one ask his F/O to - quote- "Tell Mr. XXX ( the Flt. Eng.) that I require take off power"
A friend, flying as co-pilot, once had to remind the Capt. that he - the Capt. - was getting a bit slow on approach to landing, and after a couple of totally ignored reminders grabbed a handful of throttles and pushed them forward. After landing the Capt. said " If you ever touch MY throttles again, they will be the last throttles you touch in BOAC "
Happy Days ? Maybe. Then we had the Trident Papa India crash on to Staines, with suggestions that the Capt. Queeg attitude of the Commander had some bearing on events ?