Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Total 5331; Flight Crew Type 2529
Communication Breakdown; Physiological - Other
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Chart Or Publication; Environment - Non Weather Related
I had Gate Agent tell me I could get the PRR (Pilot Reconciliation Report) electronically over my iPad. I advised them that the policy was still a paper form and that not all stations were able to provide PRRs electronically as yet. Still undergoing beta testing. We were able to verify that the paper copy is still the standard but read that the PRR should be available 10 minutes prior to scheduled pushback.Issues:1. Ten minutes prior to pushback is a busy time in the cockpit. The necessity of returning to the iPad to get another form is unreasonable.2. Reliability of signal; wifi or [data]; at the gate is suspect. I frequently need to leave the cockpit and walk to the boarding area to acquire a signal of sufficient strength to get our required paperwork prior to our flight. This is done at a time when 'time' exists for flight planning.3. My iPad is in airplane mode from the time I acquire my paperwork until the next time I need paperwork. Turning the iPad's airplane mode (battery saving mode) to off to acquire one simple form; at a very busy time in the cockpit; sets up a situation where one would forget to get the device BACK into the airplane mode.4. The recharging device on the Airbus (if it works at all) barely keeps up with the discharge rate if using the WSI function. Having the device depleted; due to omission of the airplane mode; could render REQUIRED AND NECESSARY [publishings] unavailable at a vital time; which is inherently unsafe.5. Whether in the program or not; all armed individuals need to be accounted for and location/affiliation/status known to our crews; but especially for our FFDOs who could find themselves in a compromised position if this data is not provided.Bottom line; it is a small form/gesture that ensures a last minute reconciliation between customer service (our ground security coordinator) and the Captain (our inflight security coordinator) of what assets are onboard and any concerns. I know we want to achieve an autonomous; automated environment from which to operate. This one form NEEDs to stay.
A319 Captain reported that the Pilot Reconciliation Report can be accessed electronically.