 |
37000 Feet | Browse and search NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System |
|
Air carrier captain reported a recent trend of being dispatched with minimum fuel loads.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1752590 |
| Time | |
| Date | 202007 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Commercial Fixed Wing |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Parked |
| Route In Use | Direct |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | No Specific Anomaly Occurred All Types |
Narrative:
I've noticed a trend the last few months of being dispatched with minimum fuel loads. This previous X policy disappeared but a recent conversation with a dispatcher confirmed it's back. Calling dispatch for 'additional fuel' to meet safety margins has been rare the past few years; but it looks as though the need has returned. According to the dispatcher I spoke with today; when asked if they (dispatchers) are being pressured to dispatch with minimum release fuel; his response was; '...well; they don't pressure us; but they do mention it a lot 'cause we're losing money.' perhaps an email for those new captains who have yet to work under such policies might be appropriate. Cause - cost cutting pressure from management.suggestions - return to policies based on safety; not earnings.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: Air carrier Captain reported a recent trend of being dispatched with minimum fuel loads.
Narrative: I've noticed a trend the last few months of being dispatched with minimum fuel loads. This previous X policy disappeared but a recent conversation with a Dispatcher confirmed it's back. Calling Dispatch for 'additional fuel' to meet safety margins has been rare the past few years; but it looks as though the need has returned. According to the Dispatcher I spoke with today; when asked if they (dispatchers) are being pressured to Dispatch with minimum release fuel; his response was; '...well; they don't pressure us; but they do mention it a lot 'cause we're losing money.' Perhaps an email for those new captains who have yet to work under such policies might be appropriate. Cause - Cost cutting pressure from management.Suggestions - Return to policies based on safety; not earnings.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.