Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Procedure
On walk around the First Officer found that the right engine chip detector light was illuminated in the aft equipment bay. He attempted a reset and then contacted me. I then went back and confirmed that the chip detector was indeed illuminated. Two subsequent attempts were tried with no results. Maintenance Control was then contacted and the Mechanic working the desk told me 'Captain why do you have to go there; are you serious?' When I queried him on his comment he put me on hold. Even though I gave him the ship number he questioned me on the type of aircraft I was on i.e.: 200/700/900 as if I didn't know the aircraft I was flying. He was not helpful and somewhat defiant in that I wanted a mechanic to come and resolve this problem. Is this how our safety program works. Is this how our Maintenance Department handles maintenance items that are critical to safety of flight. Maintenance does not appear to want to operate safe aircraft.
CRJ900 Captain is informed that the right engine chip detector light was illuminated in the aft equipment bay. Maintenance Control is contacted and they do not deem it necessary to take any action prior to flight.