To Deice or not to?
 

Ok, so if anyone was in CLE yesterday you know it was snowy. We were taxing out and were a neg deice, we have a clean wing concept. It was lgt fluffy snow and not a problem. We were told to go around an XJT because we not going to the deice pad. XJT guys stated they were also a neg Deice and ready to taxi. CLE came back and told them that because of CLE winter ops they had no choice and had to deice. Why did the XJT have to deice and we didn't? I can understand if it was XJT ops requirement but, the controller said it was CLE winter ops and they had to deice and commutair was not in the contract thats why were able to go. Is it because of our clean wing concept? I thought the cap had final say in Deicing? Just curious, I checked the CLE Jepps couldn't find anything about it.

CAL is the one to declare winter ops, when they do XJT has no option.

I can't answer your specific question about CLE, but if it is snowing you really need to deice and get some anti-ice fluid applied too. Doesn't matter how light it looks...the NTSB databse is littered with smoking-hole incidents caused by not deicing.

Air Florida in DCA comes to mind.

I never de ice it costs too much gotta save the company money

Personally I would've deiced. I agree with you.... I am still realitivly new so I just kinda go with what the Cap says, just assumed its normal stuff not a problem. As CFI I was always the guy there an hour earlier with the credit card getting every last bit of frost off.:o

You are exactly right, it's the Capt's decision which can be influenced by the advocacy of a good FO. When in doubt, de-ice.

Off subject a little.
If you felt you should have de-iced, then you should have spoke up! That's why there's two of you.
As far as de-icing, look in your de-icing manual, and it will tell you what the requirements are.
If it's cold enough out, and it is "fluffy", then you can expect the light snow to blow off on the initial roll. At least that's what it states (not those exact words) in ours. But when in doubt, DO IT!
We did yesterday in DTW. A/C was on ramp most of the morning, and the sun came out and stated to melt the "dusting" off the wings. We (my FO and I) elected to de-ice the wings and tail anyway.

the captain doesn't have the final say in this case, if CAL declares winter ops, you do not have a choice. we tried the other day and it didn't matter what the captain said.

Hey, thanks for the advice.... I definitly speak up more. Just some of the guys and gals have 20+ yrs at the company flying 1900's so I have been a little less forthcoming with opinions and thoughts. Didn't want to seem like I was questioning their judgement. I'll find a way to express my concerns in a none confrontational way.