MD-80 Series (DC-9-80) Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Aircraft; Company Policy
Ten minutes prior to pushback; had a tail compartment overheat warning. Very abnormal with cool outside temps.  Performed QRH emergency procedure; shut down air and APU which was providing it. Warning stopped at shutdown of APU. With over twenty years experience on this type aircraft; and fully knowing this aircraft a day prior provided me with a right air condition temp high light and had issues with Airfoil Ice needing excessive power to get proper temps both on right side; I believe a bleed air problem existed with this aircraft that just came out of a heavy check. Upon Maint arrival with a fully loaded aircraft they lowered the stairs of this aircraft and attempted to start APU and trouble shoot aircraft with passengers on board. Sitting in the left seat as Captain of this flight I stated 'NO' and advised that if they wanted to trouble shoot a possible bleed air leak that we needed to deplane passengers. This request was not received well and was met with resistance as maintenance and ramp worried about on time. Maintenance in a condescending confrontational tone stated 'just fine go ahead and deplane'. Suddenly Ramp operations called and said that someone in Customer Operations said to override the Captain and not to deplane. As a Captain I have never experienced such an event. The Captain is in charge of all passengers; crew; and their safety while on board. At this point I realized I was losing control operationally speaking of the safety of my crew and passengers and advised the ramp that if they did not deplane prior to trouble shooting a Tail Comp Over Heat warning with cool ambient outside temps that I needed to be replaced or relieved as the Captain. Ten minutes later they chose to swap aircraft. The Pilot in Command should not be interfered with when performing the duties of his or her position especially regarding the safety of their passengers and crew.  Maybe Customer Operations needs to communicate directly with Dispatcher and Captain involved with said scenario before circumnavigating their authority to keep passengers as safe as possible.  Hire more experienced personnel in customer ops.
MD-83 Captain reported he felt his operational authority was being infringed upon while dealing with a mechanical issue at the gate prior to departure.