framer,
You are right. I was a CP for 5 years and you are meat in the sandwich, having, at times, to say 'no' to the board of management and also 'no' to the pilot group. While at the same time being responsible for a safety critical part of the organisation. All you can do is to try do what is right from an aviation point of view - and by that I mean maintaining the integrity of the operation, promoting high standards of flying, not wasting money and above all looking after your chaps.