Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Weight And Balance
General Maintenance Action
Human Factors
On descent [I] heard the unmistakable sound of loose cans moving in the lower forward cargo compartment. Landed uneventfully. This is the third such event I have experienced in the last 7 days and all three had the potential of disastrous outcomes; had the resulting load shifts been significant enough to move the CG (Center of Gravity) out of limits; or move it fast enough during takeoff or landing to cause loss of control of the aircraft. Obviously; lives were at risk both in the air and on the ground from this event. FAA certification is also at risk in such events.Maintenance personnel determined floor locks were not defective and therefore had been left down by the Ramp Load Crew. Load crews need emphasis in training as to how deadly their mistakes can be; whether it is in improperly positioning the locks or failing to recognize when hardware is deteriorating to the extent that maintenance needs to be accomplished. While on the subject; I will also mention I have had to intervene in loading operations on numerous occasions when it was obvious that unnecessary force was being used in movement of cans to the extent that potential for significant damage to the aircraft could have occurred; especially floor locks and rails. This is also a training issue.
Air carrier Captain reported cargo load shifts related to deviations from SOPs.