I'll say it again Phrog, your kind of thinking gets people killed. You're the guy that would fail to act in time to prevent a tragidy because you were too busy worrying about what the "book" says. Sometimes you don't have that kind of time. Some situations require you to think "outside" the box/book.
So to answer your question:
After discussing the situation with my company I would then tell the station manager I am calling CNN, FoxNews etc if no airstair showed up within 20-30 minutes. Making the arguement that this has happened before...let's get the folks off the plane or there will be some bad press.
If he refused....
Then I would have gotten off the airplane. Faced with staying in the airplane all night I'm pretty sure most Captain's would have climbed down out of the airplane. If the station manager calls the police, what are they going to do arrest you. No one has broken a law or reg. until you try to depart.
1. Plead face to face with the ramp crew.
2. Drive an "approved" airstair up to the aircraft yourself if you have to...
3. Call the police if anyone tries to stop you...using the arguement that any interference with a crewmembers duty is a Federal Offense.
Bottom line: I would not sit there all night long like a prisoner. I would have tried done something.
This is obviously going way over your head so this I'll keep this simple.
1. How exactly does my kind of thinking get people killed?
2. Plead with the ramp crew? That's your answer? Just like when you were pleading with everyone else, your decision doesn't mean squat if people outside the airplane don't support you.
3. So Captain, you are going to what, go down the rope ladder, commandeer an airstair and drive it up yourself. Abandon you pax and steal heavy equipment at an airport (anti-terrorism laws come to mind), operate it without training and hope somebody pats you on the back for being such a bold decision maker. Good plan.
4. Interference with a crew member...you're a thief. You are driving an unauthorized vehicle around an airport. I'm sure you won't have to call the police.
Once again, your hysterics wreak of lack of judgement and experience. For the last time, the Captain's decision requires support. If there is an emergency, declare it. And I still want to know how I get people killed.
In sixteen years of military flying and six years of commercial aviation I have certainly learned how to balance "the book" with real world situations. To date, I have done well. You can't teach experience or sound judgement, you just get it with maturity over the course of your career. I truly hope you get to that point before you have to make a newsworthy decision.
