Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 554
Other / Unknown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Airport; Human Factors
During the last few weeks in BWI; I have noticed an increased amount of FOD on the ramp; flight line; near the terminal; on the taxiways; grassy areas adjacent to the taxiways; runway; etc. The question was 'where is all this FOD coming from?' I have reported the FOD to BWI Ground Operations; and it seems as if the FOD is never picked up (look at the abundance of FOD in the grassy areas next to the taxiways and runways). During the preflight today; we noticed massive amounts of FOD in and around the BWI Gate area. Specifically; it appeared that a trash dumpster had been emptied in the vehicle storage area under the terminal. There were a large number of plastic bags; cans; cups; etc. which had collected in this area. It looked as if the FOD had collected over a period of several weeks.It looked as if nobody noticed the FOD; and nobody was picking it up. In fact; while we sat at the gate; a BWI Ramp Supervisor was standing amongst the pile of trash and FOD smoking a cigarette. He did not pick up any of the FOD. The wind was blowing hard; and FOD was being blown from this area onto the flight line. A coffee cup was approaching the aircraft as we taxied into the gate. I called BWI Operations several times to have the FOD removed with no response. Finally; the Manager of Operations showed up. His response to the FOD problem was 'It's windy today; and that is why the FOD is there.' I answered; 'The wind did not create the FOD. The wind is only blowing the FOD back onto the flight line.' I asked him who was responsible for ensuring that the flight line is FOD free.He reluctantly responded that he was the one responsible. He gave me the usual answers as to why it the FOD was still there. 'I just started my shift; the wind is blowing; etc.' There was a large grey trash bag blowing around in the area (one similar to the one I recently ingested in my #1 engine just before takeoff causing us to shut down the engine; return to the gate; and have Maintenance remove the pieces of bag from the engine). BWI is not taking the FOD program seriously. Ramp Agents; Ramp Supervisors; etc. walk right by FOD without picking it up. The answer I get to this is that the 'vacuum' is deployed every once in a while; and the 'vacuum' is responsible for retrieving FOD; not the individuals who work on the ramp.Vice President of Ground Operations needs to re-emphasize the importance of FOD awareness in BWI (and system-wide). BWI Station Manager needs to 'tour' the BWI flight line daily to ensure that the Managers of Ramp and Operations (MROs) are enforcing the FOD Awareness Program. There are several dumpsters on the BWI flight line which are often left open; are often overflowing with trash; and nobody seems to notice. Dumpster doors need to be secured when not in use; and dumpsters need to be emptied more often. MROs; Ramp Supervisors; and Ramp Agents need to act more responsibly. If you see FOD; take immediate action. Pick it up and dispose of it properly. Don't wait for someone else (the 'vacuum') to pick up the FOD. Take personal initiative and pick up the FOD without waiting to be told to do so. The leadership on this issue starts from the top. FOD can be picked up between flights. Rather than going to the break room; get out to the ramp; and pick up the FOD. The wind does blow the FOD around; but it does not create the FOD. When it is windy; it is even more important to retrieve the FOD to prevent FOD from being ingested in the aircraft engines. I sent photos of the BWI FOD issue to [name]; Ground Operations; at Headquarters.
Air carrier Captain reported that a trend of excessive FOD on the ramp and airport environment resulted in a hazardous situation to taxiing aircraft.