I remember when Delta appointed the CA of a flight to the additional post of “On-time Coordinator”. We asked if that title included authority to give orders to gate agents & ground personnel, and they said: “Well....not really.”

 

[QUOTE=jcountry;2660634]
Reading comprehension obviously not your strong suit. Read the FOM. It’s black and white. And your ridiculous terminal analogy has nothing to do with anything. We’re talking about something happening ON THE JET. Your lack of understanding really makes no difference in what the Feds and company have both agreed to IN WRITING, but hey, you’re free to believe whatever you choose.

 

Not sure what language Delta has, but at U, the Captain is the on site leader from the moment he/she arrives at the gate. Have had numerous occasions where this theory is tested. For example: it’s the last flight of the day. We have a handful of pax who will be stuck overnight if we leave without them. Overzealous gate agent says “my boss in zone says to button it up, we need the on time”. I call zone, tell her boss we’ll wait for them. Case closed. There are may other examples, but you don’t have to give them orders per se, you simply don’t release the parking brake until things are done. There are no second guesses from the Chief Pilot, and no paperwork required. Just doing what we get paid for. Not really sure why some on this thread don’t understand this simple concept. Perhaps pre-merger CAL did things differently, but those days are looooong gone.

 

[QUOTE=Guppydriver95;2660681]Once again, I encourage you to involve yourself back there (or up in the terminal, or wherever.).

Go right ahead. Have a ball!

Take that FOM back there and explain to folks how in command you are. I’m certain they will take it the right way.

Just don’t claim you weren’t warned when you wind up on Tosh looking like a fool.

Being right does not trump being smart. Under no circumstance is it ever smart to get involved with any pax issues. Make your decisions from the cockpit, and rely on people who are trained to deal in person with idiots who are obviously trying to set us up.

 

[QUOTE=jcountry;2660759]Sir/madam

You’ve definitely jumped the shark. I NEVER said it was something I would want to do. I simply was correcting the uninformed notion that the Captain “has no business” getting involved. I agree that he/she should TRY to direct appropriate ground personel to diffuse the situation while at the gate. We have NO idea what happened prior to the video being taken. That’s the problem. You get a snap shot in time, with incomplete facts, and then spout off about why the Captain was wrong when you obviously have NO IDEA how the chain of command works. But hey, keep in tilting at that windmill, sport.

 

[QUOTE=Guppydriver95;2660778]You know what can’t ever be taken out of context?

A capt who is not back there, not messing around with any pax, and not getting his picture taken making any gestures.

Problems avoided never need to be solved.

See how that works?

 

[QUOTE=jcountry;2661003]Glad you’re not in any position to make decisions. Nuff said.

 

That's the problem. It's why there's almost no way to win by going back there because the video will be edited for "newsworthiness" regardless of what actually transpired.

 

I don’t disagree with you re: the ideal way to handle these situations. I was simply correcting the uneducated notion that the Captain has no say prior to the door being closed. I get that the general public posts here, but there are many in the industry that post here as well who actually believe this.

 

Oh I agree, the CA absolutely has a say whether someone stays on the plane or not. But he probably doesn't have a duty or responsibility to roll up his sleeves, head back, and wade in. And phones and social media make it bad idea in almost all cases.