B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Distraction; Time Pressure; Workload
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Passenger Misconduct
Company Policy; Human Factors
Crew Scheduling called to assign the Reserve Captain a trip 21 minutes prior to push. The assigned trip pushed almost 24 hours later. I had my phone on at the time because I was talking with Maintenance (MX) Control. I let the call go to voicemail because of other priorities. The Flight Deck crew was working an ETOPS preflight at an uncontrolled field at [an early morning hour]. It was the First Officer's 3rd ETOPS Flight. Also; we were in the process of investigating an intoxicated passenger and having them removed for damaging an overhead bin. I was on the phone with MX Control to have the bin MEL'd and working an amended release with Dispatch. I got a chance to listen to voicemail thinking Mx control was calling me back. It was Scheduling with an assignment for the next evening and also gave a time reference. I returned the call to scheduling due to the specific time reference on the voice mail. I asked if they planned on giving me a [sick call] if I didn't return their call. My phone is usually off on the Flight Deck. He said I was on call 24 hrs a day. I ended the conversation and continued with my duties. Crew Scheduling at no point should be adding another distraction to the Flight Crew unless it pertains to the safety of the flight they are operating. This was not only unprofessional and unnecessary; but unsafe.Crew Scheduling calling the flight deck during preflight duties.Scheduling should not be calling the flight crew after report time unless it pertains to the safety or cancellation of the operating flight.
A Captain reports of a call from Crew Scheduling during preflight. The crew was already running late due to a maintenance issue and an unruly passenger. Reporter mentions the call was for a new assignment some 24 hours later.