Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 132; Flight Crew Total 12595; Flight Crew Type 9607
Communication Breakdown; Distraction; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Procedure; Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related; Aircraft
We flew the airplane in from ZZZ1 on Flight ABC; arriving late at XA:05L. We were late due to the previous flight arriving late into ZZZ1 and then circuitous ATC routing for an arrival from the NE (ZZZZZ Intersection; ZZZZZ1 STAR). Because of our late arrival our outbound flight was designated a quick turn. During this Pandemic; NO flight should be designated a quick turn or the time required to accomplish a quick turn should be greatly increased. During this Pandemic; designating a flight a quick turn leads to all the well-intentioned folks on the ground becoming rushed. Operations designates blame if the quick turn is not accomplished in the allotted time and this further complicates and rushes activities. Cleaning is rushed or inadequate; time required to spray the aircraft is not accounted for in the quick turn time. Catering is rushed; deplaning and boarding take much longer during the Pandemic; gate agents become rushed and mechanics are rushed to fix or defer any maintenance issues. This rushing leads to intense time pressure; mistakes in judgment and errors in execution; all of which could lead to an accident or incident. Fortunately; there was not an accident or an incident on this flight. There were a few errors; however. During the Pandemic; ZZZ Catering has not been boarding any special meals; so the Captain had to leave the airplane to obtain a meal that he could eat. This takes some time to accomplish in a crowded ZZZ Airport around dinner time.During the Pandemic; I (the Captain) accomplish a short pre-flight safety briefing to the passengers with special emphasis on seat belt usage during climbout; descent or during any en-route turbulence and proper mask wear throughout the flight to prevent the spread of COVID. Boarding had been completed; catering was finishing up as I started my PA with the cockpit door closed. The Gate Agent opened the cockpit door and without waiting a beat; announced loudly; 'You got everything you need?'  When I held up my hand to silence the Gate Agent because I was in the middle of making a PA; the Gate Agent turned to the FO and asked him loudly; 'Well; do you got everything you need?'  I stopped making my safety PA; put on my mask and told the Agent that 'I'll be done in a minute; I'd like you to leave the cockpit; so that I can finish making my PA. I'll come let you know when I'm done; please shut the door on your way out.' The Gate Agent turned and left the cockpit; but did not close the cockpit. I got up; slammed the cockpit door shut and made a few loud choice remarks to myself. The choice comments were definitely an error on my part. I composed myself and then finished making my safety PA. Shortly thereafter; I put my mask back on; exited the cockpit and told the Gate Agent that we had everything we needed and the Gate Agent could close the Cabin Door. The Gate Agent closed the cabin door; I returned to the cockpit and we accomplished the Before Push Checklist.I checked in with the ground crew and she told me that catering had noticed some large scratches around Door 1R and that the Mechanic was telling her not to push. I asked to speak with the Mechanic and she promptly put him on the headset. The Mechanic had invalidated our current maintenance release and explained that catering had noticed several large scratches around Door 1R. He would need to measure the scratches and then go check the aircraft maintenance history to see if they had previously been noted and properly recorded. I told the FAs; made an announcement about the delay and turned the seat belt sign off. I asked the FO to call Operations and have them bring the jetway back to the airplane. In a couple of minutes; the Agent returned the jetway to the aircraft and Door 1L was opened. During a Pandemic; it is not the time to keep passengers wearing masks; trapped on an airplane. Just having an opportunity to leave the airplane actually reduces the stress and anxiety to feel the need to do so. 15 minutesinto the delay; a Maintenance Supervisor got on the headset and said we'd have a new maintenance release in 7 - 10 minutes. We got a new maintenance release in about 8 minutes; closed Door 1L; turned on the seat belt sign and pushed back 38 minutes late. We arrived safely in ZZZ3; only 14 minutes late.Before departing; I quickly reviewed the new maintenance release; which looked OK in spite of it not showing a new write-up or a new / previously inspected / signed-off of the scratches around Door 1R. If it's important enough to delay an already late flight by another 25 minutes; it's important enough to write up the scratches or notate that those scratches were previously recorded and within limits. I don't believe there's anything wrong with adding a 2nd written sign-off to a previously recorded or to a verbally added maintenance gripe; but it would be helpful if the flight crew knew about it. Whenever pilots call in a maintenance gripe we are always advised to follow it up. If the rampers or catering verbally reports a maintenance gripe to a mechanic; then that mechanic should likewise have to make a written report of the gripe. He can then appropriately sign it off; defer it or notate as previously inspected. Verbally noting; recording and signing off of a valid maintenance gripe leaves much to be desired. I'll say it again; if it's important enough to delay an already late flight by another 25 minutes; it's important enough to write it up.
Air carrier Captain reported concerns relating to a quick turn of an aircraft and the flight being delayed due to scratches found on a door requiring a new maintenance release.