I don't think they thought this one all the way through. And I bet the person who came up with the idea was trying mighty hard to one-up who ever came up with the last brilliant idea. This one has to make you think they're starting to wing it with some of their schemes.

 

I just sent the following email to KS (the person who's name is on the bulletin). I would suggest that any of you who are concerned might want to considering emailing him as well. He's a good guy and I've found him to be responsive in the past.
__________________________________________

I just read the bulletin regarding the FDRA. I guess I don't understand what it is you are trying to accomplish with this. The agent has to come within a few feet of the cockpit to give us our updated weather, etc. and obtain our concurrence with closing the door. I don't see how this saves any time or results in the door being closed any sooner.

Additionally, it introduces a new risk to our operation. Most of us use the FDRA as a reminder to get the updated weather, fuel slip if needed, etc. Personally, I put the FDRA between the "suitcase handles" (primary trim) to help remind me to get what I need from the agent. When the agent delivers what I need, then I give him/her the FDRA. We have so many things going on right around door closure, pushback, etc. that it really helps to have a physical reminder. The new policy takes that away and gives us one more thing to have to remember and to occupy our attention at an already busy time. I think this is going to result in some crews departing without the necessary documentation.

I also think it's going to be counterproductive to your goal of getting the flight out on time, because the door is going to have to be reopened when it invariably gets closed without our concurrence and without us having received the proper documentation in the cockpit. I know that's not supposed to be the way this new procedure works, but I've also witnessed too many times in recent years where an agent is so obsessed with closing the door that he/she forgets to get our concurrence or give us the updated weather, etc. This new policy is going to make it even easier for that to happen.

Anyway, this is just one line Captain's perspective but I hope it is helpful to you. I hope you will reevaluate this policy.

 

Here is what every FDRA says right above the signature block:

I CONSIDER ALL FACTORS INCLUDING MY OWN PHYSICAL CONDITION SATISFACTORY FOR THIS FLIGHT.
I HAVE RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING:

FLIGHT PLAN/DISPATCH RELEASE
FLIGHT PLAN ADDENDUM
UPDATED WEATHER BRIEFING
FAR 117 LATEST ALLOWABLE TAKEOFF TIMES
PAPER FUEL SERVICE RECORD (IF REQD)

Every one of those things will need to be at the podium
for my review if they expect a signature from me before
going to the airplane. And that's without even addressing
the definition of "All Factors" in the FDRA language. I have
always believed that it includes the status of the airplane
which I cannot determine at the gate house having just arrived
to a new airplane.

 

With the risk of getting attacked. I don't see the big problem. Pre merger this is the way we always did it. As a matter of fact, initially most of us out of habit would just sign and leave at the podium. I don't recall hearing of any issues.

If the issue is the updated weather( plenty of times there are no updates), the latt times or paper fuel slip, I'm sure they can re-word the fdra to cover your concerns.

 

My guess is that they are going to do away with the final WX. In the days before ACARS, it made sense to do it that way. Now, with the continual availability of WX in the cockpit, and the ability of the dispatcher to contact the cockpit in the event of unforeseen WX issues, it is a bit redundant.

The WX briefing on the FDRA is only required to be up to the minute **At the time of signing the release**, which is why they want you to sign it immediately, I suppose. As for the other uses of the release, as a reminder, or a piece of wampum to be exchanged for a bag of ice or anything, really, it was never meant to be used in that manner. But it became exactly that at Delta, ingrained in the culture, and I'd not seen it before I came here.

You're still the Captain, and you still get whatever you want before you turn a wheel, even if it means calling ops, getting the jetway back on and making it happen. I agree that it's a big change from the way things were. I'd plan on more to come...

 

When they board through door #2 on the 757, the agent has to walk through the first class cabin to get the release (probably 20 steps round trip). I bet a few of them blamed late door closings on these extra steps and the company responded with this new policy.

At NWA, we used to leave the release at the gate with the agent all the time. But, we also used to do the paperwork at the gate all the time, too. I still try to tear/cut, review, and fill things out at the gate, but it's always a fight for space with the agents.

With this new policy, they should get used to making room for us up there and maybe have a ruler, or straight-edge for us to use.

 

Sigh. You North guys....

 

Apples and Oranges. Here is what a NWA Captain was signing on the dispatch release:

CAPTAINS ONLY: SIGNATURE VERIFIES THAT CURRENT REVISIONS FOR FAR 121.445 SPECIAL AIRPORT PICTORIALS (JEPP 19-01), IF REQUIRED FOR THIS FLIGHT, HAVE BEEN REVIEWED WITHIN THE PAST12 MONTHS.

 

Agreed. They still need PIC approval to close the door, not sure how this improves the process; unless it "improves the process" for a couple ACS and FLTOPS managers to keep their 4th floor gigs for a couple more years.

 

You North guys... Actually, I got a glimpse of it when I was the first "south" Captain to fly the DC-9 post merger. I never completely understood why it's desirable to split the flight plan document into several documents. Maybe it had to do with the format you had at NWA? I understand you had part of it that the Captain kept and another part that the F/O kept?

With the Delta format and the need to keep it in a place where it's accessible to both pilots, I don't see the benefit in separating it. It doesn't make sense to me to create several documents so when I go to look for something I have to first figure out which document I need versus just picking up one document and flipping right to the place I'm looking for.

Anyway, I guess we all have our preferences. Mine is to leave the thing in tact instead of randomizing it and make it easier to find stuff. Your mileage may vary.