Originally Posted by Dave Fitzgerald

Why in the world would you call the FODM for an aircraft refusal? When has the FODM ever done something for you, you couldn't handle yourself? With the possible exception of getting that denied middle DH seat.

If you feel the plane is not safe to go, refuse it. Now, I am always open to other input and ideas, MX, F/O, dispatcher. Many times, I have been the one advocating to go, with a reasoned response when dispatch has waivered.

Having to fill out an IOR, and or call the FODM to refuse a plane is defacto pressure to accept a substandard plane. An inop ACARS on a domestic VFR day might be trivial to some, but international, to FRA with slippery runways, and required landing performance data, redispatch, ETOPS considerations? It'd be on my required list.

So, to summarize, be a pilot, be proactive. Don't let an inexperienced dispatcher or FODM pressure you into anything. That's why you get the big bucks.