Originally Posted by
at6d
This all sounds very complicated.
Agreed. Maybe someone can explain what's on a "Before Pushback" checklist that couldn't be combined with the "Before Start" checklist. Do the one checklist, THEN call for push. Works just fine.
One other data point - when I worked at UAL, they required a split cockpit for the push. Don't know if they still do after the merger. Captain communicated only with the push crew, FO only with the ramp/ground. Reduced the chances of distractions or broken habit patterns with the push crew and accidentally taxiing before they were clear. Once the push was complete and the Captain was completely done with the push crew, he joined the FO on the radios. Made sense to me.