A319
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Staffing
Preparing for pushback; I heard several 'clicks' over the headset connecting the flight deck and pushback tug driver. After several attempts to establish communications; a marshaller stepped to the front of the aircraft and indicated that the headset was malfunctioning and to go to hand signals by placing his hands over his ears and then a thumbs down signal.Unfortunately; this was the last correct signal I received. I tried to communicate 'are we cleared to release brakes' and the marshaller paid no attention. When I got his attention; he had no idea what I was asking. When this was finally resolved through several attempts; we obtained push clearance and I gave the 'cleared to push signal.' His response was to point to someone on the ground with his left arm in the general direction we were to push. As we pushed back; this gentleman then stayed in the area of the gate and started digging around in a tool box and basically stayed there and ignored us.Eventually he started walking in our general direction about 100 yards from the front of the aircraft. I tried repeatedly to get his attention to get clearance to start the engine(s). About this time; the aircraft left wing walker appeared in front of the aircraft and crossed her wands over her head in an 'X' while we continued to be pushed back. Noticing we were still moving; she looked rather confused so started following the tug; all the while holding her wands crossed over her head. My FO and I were completely confused and were not about to start the engines and risk rolling over the tug with no 'brakes set' signal.Once the tug stopped; there was no marshaller to signal 'set brakes'. I wasn't sure why we stopped; but was not about to set the parking brake in the event the pushback wasn't complete. I had my feet covering the brake pedals in anticipation of an uncommanded tow bar disconnection. Eventually the original marshaller rejoined the group and pointed at the left engine and moved his arm in a big circle. Still no 'set brakes' signal and I did not start the engine. Right then; I heard the familiar 'clunk' of the tow bar being disconnected with no direction from me and no verification of 'brakes set'. The marshaller was getting agitated at my not starting the engine and signaled (incorrectly) with more enthusiasm this time to start the left engine. What a mess. I held the brakes with my feet; ensuring the accumulator pressure was good; until I saw the tug back away from the aircraft. At that point I set the parking brake and completed a normal engine start.
The ground crew was not able to communicate via headset with the A319 Captain; who then experienced conflicting or incorrect hand signals and confusion.