A319
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Time Pressure
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Aircraft; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
At the gate in DFW we received a push clearance from ramp control: Referencing inbound [air carrier] parking at [nearby gate]; cleared to push; tail west. I then notified the push crew that we were cleared to push tail west referencing the inbound aircraft parking at [nearby gate]. The push crew then asked if we could push a couple of feet to 'start the clock'. I replied that we could only push if we were clear of the inbound aircraft; and then we were clear to push tail west. The push crew replied that we were clear of the aircraft; and started the push. Ramp control notified us that we were pushing and the [inbound air carrier] was right behind us. I told the push crew to stop the push immediately. We held the push until we had visual confirmation that the [inbound air carrier] was fully parked at [their gate.] I then asked the push crew to resume the push. The push crew then proceeded to push the aircraft tail east instead of west. Ramp control asked us to just stop the push and disconnect where we were. We complied and the flight continued without incident.I feel as though this incident was started with pressure to get the flight out on time. The push crew was more focused on that than the operational aspects of their duties and the safety of the pushback procedure. The aircraft could be clear of us but not visible from the cockpit; and as pilots we are relying on a competent push crew to be aware and comply with our instructions. According to ramp; the aircraft was directly behind us; which would mean; in no way should you move the aircraft. The lack of awareness was even more evident when the push was resumed; they pushed us the opposite direction as instructed.I could have increased the level of awareness in the push if when asked about starting the clock; replying 'NO'. Then confirming the location of the inbound aircraft before repeating the pushback instructions. I could have better nullified the distraction of trying to be on-time by taking it out of the equation this way.It is my professional opinion that at no time should a ground crew ever ask if they could 'start the clock' and push us back if the captain advises them that we are holding the push. The push back should be solely focused on the safe movement of the aircraft; not on time performance.
[Report Narrative Contained No Additional Information.]
A319 flight crew reported their push back crew deviated from proper procedures in apparent haste to get the flight out on time.