[petercooper]

Blame lies at the feet of the pilot. He or she is in charge.

[cornfedcowboy]

No blame on the pilot. He is really only in charge when the door closes. This is on the gate agents.

[TexasGator]

“Blame lies at the feet of the pilot. He or she is in charge.”

The PIC does not become in charge till the plane starts moving under its own power for purpose of flight.

[cornfedcowboy]

I also should claim that much of the blame is on the police. Not all, but plenty. They took a bad situation and threw it over the cliff.