Originally Posted by
ExAF
You can't do the pushback checklist until you have called for and received pushback clearance. How are you going to have it complete if the other parts haven't fallen into place yet?
Just playing devil's advocate here. I'm onboard with your intent.
You are 100% correct. I had a line check a few weeks ago and the LCA (a "good guy", BTW) made a point of describing the way it's now supposed to be done. The checklist isn't done until you've been cleared to push and, after the checklist is complete, you communicate the cleared to push to the tug driver.
So now if you're doing it according to the procedure, the latency will be near zero, but D-0 will suffer.
I'm concerned though about the gate agents and ramp personnel. These folks can bust their butts to get the flight out on time, but due to congestion on the ramp pushback will be delayed...not the fault of the agents or rampers.