When I think about reasons to live, this is pretty much top of the list.

Anybody know when the BOD meeting is?

That's correct... those items are specifically listed on the FDRA. By signing it you are stating that:

I bet a FNW agent said "well this is how we used to do things" and sent it up the totem pole. Then I bet ACS higher ups went and ran with it without running it by Flight Ops.

That was a valid procedure with the old 'top copy" with worldflight, but it doesn't work the way our FDRA is worded.

Would you do that with an FAA guy on board?

Just keep in mind that if you sign the release and hand it over early, the agent now has no reason to stick their head in the cockpit and trade you for the updated weather...what this really means is that they can shut the door without asking if you are ready. And they will. Ever have a last minute glitch and then have to call ops to get the agent, who has already sprinted to their next gate or the coffee machine, to come back...it is a goat rope! I would hope that the first Captains that get this directive, send it to the ALPA machine for clarification. That's what they are there for.

LP

I won't even sign it until the fuel load is correct, I keep it on my yoke clip to remind me we don't have our fuel yet! No way am I going to sign it at the desk and walk onto the airplane...with the cabin cleaners still doing their thing, long before we have all the required items.

This is obviously some tool's attempt to reduce "gate latency". :rolleyes:

So, unless I am missing something, you don't know for sure whether you can get an esfr, or whether you need to "stay at the gate" until you get the 7 minute chime. Without changing the procedure, I am not sure who you could ever close the door prior to 7 minutes.

Not only that, many times I've had them try to shut the door while the mechanics were still on board, and other times when the mx logbook was with the mechanics, outside the airplane!

This is just another attempt to "Rush" us off the gate, and it's stupid.

I've been on the jumpseat many times in MCO, when they've closed the door 10 minutes early and we were pushing back 5 minutes early...

That's fine...as long as you have everything you need.

Including all the people, non revs especially. If there is an empty seat there is no reason to close the door 10 min early.