A319
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Security; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure
The crew arrived at the aircraft early in the morning. A fog and distinct smell filled the jet way and aircraft. An external air cart was running and connected to the aircraft; the APU and packs were also running. Flight Operations Manual (FOM) states do not use ground air and the packs at the same time to prevent the non-return valves from chattering.  A ramp employee confirmed that the packs and the external air cart had ran all night together.  The first officer had arrived 5 minutes before the rest of the crew and was unable to enter the cockpit because the door was closed and locked.  After a few knocks the keypad was used and the door unlocked and there was an individual in a sleeping bag laying on the floor; and he was just awaking.  It was still a few minutes before we could enter the cockpit because this individual had to get up and get dressed and pack up his camping gear. At this time it became evident that the aircraft had been deiced at the gate (full body) without being properly configured.  Maintenance was called on the phone to defer another item; but I also asked about the deicing. If the aircraft is going to be deiced there is a specific checklist to use to configure the aircraft.  If this station is allowing the aircraft to be deiced at the gate prior to the crew arriving there should be a procedure to make sure our procedures are being followed. This also applies to the deice vendor; they also have a responsibility to make sure an aircraft is properly configured prior to spraying it.  If we are going to have all contract personnel; at all our stations; we need some accountability; training and some supervision.  I have previously contacted both the Chief Pilot of Operations (CPO) and Security Operations Control (SOC) about this particular station and have been threatened with disciplinary action for doing so. As for the guy in the sleeping bag on the floor... all I can say is WOW.
A319 Captain reported his aircraft was deiced early in the morning prior to his arrival without following his airline's procedures for doing so.