Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Weather; Company Policy; Human Factors
A line of strong thunderstorms had moved across the United States causing tornadoes in the DFW area [several days earlier] was moving into the ATL area quickly. Upon arrival at the aircraft; I called the Dispatcher regarding our fuel load and the strong possibility of the ATL closing after I pushed from the gate. We had ZZZ2 as an alternate due to the forecast of wind shear in ZZZ at 2000 feet of 40 knots (WS020/15040KT) which was predicted for a period of 11 hours. [The Dispatcher] assured me we could delete the alternate in order to reduce the [minimum fuel] if I needed it during taxi or for an airport closure. We began to board the aircraft soon after I arrived and I began to receive tornado warnings with the line of weather and track of rotation coming directly towards ATL Airport. After concurrence with the Dispatcher and Ops; I decided to deplane the aircraft due to the Tornado Warning for KATL. After deplaning the passengers; I went downstairs and looked at the radar further. The line of strong thunderstorms which was currently hitting KATL was moving in a more northerly track as opposed to an easterly track. With my departure and flight path; I was to remain within the convective activity during the entire flight with not much assurance of a safe landing in ZZZ based on the storm track and other information available. I contacted [the Dispatcher] again and brought this to his attention. [He] asked me if it would be 'good enough' if he brought up the past weather for ZZZ1 as well as the current METAR for ZZZ; and told me the 'visibility in [there] went from 4SM down to 2 1/2 SM; down to 1 1/2SM and then came back up. The ceiling was only down to 4000 so you'll be fine'. He also told me 'this is what you (myself) get paid to do'; alleging it was my duty to transport the passengers regardless of the conditions based on my pay scale. As the conversation continued; I told him I was truly concerned for the first time in 15 years for the safety of this flight since I was not ever 'flying away from the weather' and was to be in it the entire time. He again made the comment of it's what I'm 'paid to do'. I asked him who made the ultimate decision on the cancellation of this flight since a [another] flight just cancelled and it will have a similar issue in direction of flight. He responded he 'can't help the [other] flight' but he makes the ultimate decision and relays it to the Sector Manager. I told him I wasn't comfortable with operating the flight and he told me he saw 'no reason whatsoever' to consider the cancellation of this flight since the METAR and TAF are legal. He also made the comment of 'since you (myself) seem to be taking control over this from me; what do you suggest?' I finally tired of his snide; unprofessional comments; told him I was the one who had to safely transport passengers through the weather; and told him I was calling the Chief Pilot on call. I spoke with [the Chief Pilot] and briefed him on the situation. [He] fully agreed with me and suggested I wait an additional 30 min to an hour to see what the line of weather would do. My primary concern was flying within the line the entire time and the convection expected and [the Chief Pilot] agreed. I called [the Dispatcher] back and told him of [the Chief Pilot's] concurrence with my views and my decision to wait an additional 30 minutes. During this time; Ops decided to auto-board my aircraft again even though I asked the Gate Agent to wait. Seeing it as a huge inconvenience to deplane the passengers a second time; I decided to keep them on the aircraft as I watched the radar. I kept the passengers informed the entire time and during each step. Approximately [30 minutes later]; Ops called me on the radio and told me the flight had cancelled. I contacted [the Dispatcher] yet again (no indication from him it was cancelled); and he told me he had 'brought my concerns to the Duty Manager and the Duty Manager said we needed a weather cancellation anyways so we decided to cancel your flight'.[The Dispatcher's] lack of professionalism and concern for the overall weather situation; direction of flight; and inflight conditions are alarming; especially when the concerns of the PIC are brought to his attention and he makes snide comments on them. I should not have to tolerate at any time a Dispatcher telling me 'it's what you're paid to do' or other snide comments. The Dispatcher showed no concern whatsoever in the overall safe operation of the flight. The Dispatcher was adamant the flight was 'safe to operate' based solely on TAF and METAR information available; primarily on the actual and forecast visibility and cloud coverage at the destination airport. There was no consideration or concern for inflight weather. The direction of the flight between ATL and ZZZ was north/northeast; which was the exact track of the storm system which produced tornadoes south of ATL upon completion of boarding in ATL the first time. Only after tiring of the Dispatcher's snide remarks of its 'what you're (myself) paid to do'; I called the CP on call. [He] fully concurred with my decisions based on my experience with this storm system over the last 2 days as well as based on current weather conditions and radar. This valuable information was provided to the Dispatcher; who blatantly ignored it.
The pilot of a Regional Jet reported being concerned about the weather along the planned route of flight. The Dispatcher was reported to not share the same concern and seemed to be pushing the Captain into operating the flight. Ultimately the flight was cancelled without ever leaving the gate.