Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Distraction; Communication Breakdown; Other / Unknown; Troubleshooting; Time Pressure
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Environment - Non Weather Related; Aircraft; Human Factors
After pushing back from the gate from ZZZ on the way to ZZZ1; a STEERING INOP caution message appeared. I addressed the message with the QRH and the message cleared. I sent an ACARS message to maintenance telling them of the situation. They replied to call them when we completed the flight. During taxi out; while turning; the heading indicators on the PDFs momentarily disagreed and a caution message presented. The message cleared after 2 seconds and did not reoccur during the rest of the flight. There is a QRH procedure addressing that problem that I reviewed; but did not need to perform because the message was gone and the heading indications were matched and normal. Upon reaching ZZZ1; I called maintenance and wrote up the two discrepancies. Maintenance said that we should have called them on the phone in ZZZ where we have mechanics available. He said that a mechanic would probably have to do a road trip to come to ZZZ1. That could have cancelled our flight to ZZZ and caused inconvenience for all involved. After submitting the write ups; I felt stressed because of the situation. I did not know if there would be negative consequences and I thought back about everything I had done to consider what I should have done differently. After over an hour; I was contacted by Maintenance and told that a contract mechanic was coming to the aircraft and that I should help him with the maintenance procedures by showing him where the cockpit switches were that would be checked. I met the mechanic and worked with him through the required procedures. By the time that was done; we were 20 minutes late. Then I was concerned about the passengers making connections and the other crew that also had connections to make in ZZZ. We rushed to board the passengers; complete the maintenance paperwork; and prepare for the flight. After pushing back from the gate; I noticed that we had forgot to turn on the cabin signs. This is a task for preflight and a checklist item on the Pre-Start Checklist. After I noticed the cabin signs were off; I turned on the cabin signs and commenced the taxi. The cause of this event was distraction during preflight duties and rushing. The pressure that I felt to hurry up so that everyone's travel arrangements would not be ruined was a factor. I divided the preflight duties between myself and the other pilot.  Normally I would have used a mnemonic device to remember the cabin signs; but I did not take the time to think of it. I relied too much on the checklist to catch mistakes. During the checklist; I was distracted so I did not identify that a checklist item was not completed. During this period; we are under heightened scrutiny for documenting mechanical irregularities. We are also under heightened pressure to depart and arrive on time due to industry competitiveness during the COVID-19 pandemic. The combination of these pressures has made maintenance issues and delays more stressful.We already thoroughly debriefed this incident as a flight crew. I think that will help avoid that type of problem in the future. Taking the time to do the tasks and checklists during the preflight must be prioritized; so that mistakes are caught.  Pressure to hurry should not be allowed to affect performance. During checklists; I should avoid complacency and distractions. I should be aware and focused on each checklist item. I should visually look at the associated area of the cockpit during the checklists. I usually do that; but during this event I did not.
Air Carrier Captain reported company procedures were not followed during a mechanical irregularity. Captain stated outside issues; including pressure to maintain schedule; disrupted the normal flow of crew duties.