A320
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Type 297
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated
Procedure
During pushback normal pushback procedures were in use. After the pushback was complete I was asked to set the brakes. I could tell that the ground crew was having some difficulty disconnecting the tow bar. They asked me if I could release the brakes to allow them to disconnect the tow bar. I replied that I could NOT release the brakes to assist them in disconnecting the tow bar. The only thing that I would agree to was releasing the brakes if the tug and tow bar was still connected so they could push or pull the aircraft to straighten the nose wheel out. When the nose wheel was straight we would reset the brakes and then use normal procedures to disconnect the tug and tow bar. They told me that they agreed to do that. The ground crew assured me that I was connected to the tug and told me to release the brakes. I released the brakes and the ground crew disconnected the tow bar without permission. When they told me that the tow bar was disconnected I set the brakes. I told the ground crew that this was a direct violation of our SOP and a serious safety issue. I suspect the ground crew lied to me to get me to release the brakes. [The] ground crew didn't seem interested in following our SOP.
A320 Captain reported that the push-back crew did not follow the SOP and disconnected the tow bar while the brakes were released.