Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 201; Flight Crew Total 9125; Flight Crew Type 7363
Training / Qualification; Workload; Communication Breakdown; Distraction
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure; Human Factors; Company Policy
The pushback started well with good; standardized communications. Early in the pushback; the captain was told by push crew 'cleared to start 1 or 2 or both.' Captain acknowledged 'clear to start.' Captain instructed probationary FO to start 1 and 2. As the aircraft came to a stop; with engine 1 about to reach idle; push crew stated 'here comes late bags; can we put them on?' Captain replied with a strong 'negative.' Captain believed FO was starting engine 2 and did not want to interrupt the start sequence. Again pushback crew asked 'can we put on bags?' Captain gave another strong 'negative; we are in the middle of our start sequence!' Captain felt forward cargo door open and asked 'did you hear me say negative?' Pushback crew said something to the effect 'yea; but got the lead talking at me too; it'll be closed in a minute.' The very astute FO realized something was wrong hearing me repeat strong 'negatives' and did not begin engine 2 start. Captain explained to pushback crew that someone could have easily been killed. This did not seem to bother the tug driver. Throughout this exchange the parking brake had never been set. Captain asked for tug driver's name and file number. Captain called operations and explained what had occurred. Captain passed name to operations and emphasized how dangerous the situation had been and asked that the tug driver not push another aircraft until this had been addressed.
During pushback; the ground crew cleared pilots for engine start then requested to open the forward cargo door for late bags. The request was denied; but the ground crew opened the door anyway. The #2 engine start had fortunately been delayed.