EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Dispatch Dispatcher
Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure
While checking on the progress of my flights; I noticed -Aircraft X was flying at FL330 instead of the planned FL250. I double checked my ACARS messages to make sure I had not missed anything from that flight and I had not. I ran numbers for the altitude change since it was an 8;000 ft altitude deviation. I sent the numbers through ACARS to the CA (Captain) notifying him that I saw the altitude change he had decided to make. The CA responded approximately 7 minutes later stating: 'Figured we start hi... Work our way dwn if needed...Any issues w/ZZZ and UN Gen Assembly...ie delays ... holding ... etc?' The CA never acknowledged the numbers with his time and initials. The CA never consulted with me prior to the flight departing or when he chose to make the altitude change to discuss whether this was a viable or safe option or to at least give me some kind of forewarning that he was planning to do that. Both the aircraft and dispatch manuals state that amendments are necessary for altitude changes of 4000 feet or more. A lack of communication from the flight crew with Dispatch also creates disruption of operational control; which is a safety risk. I sent a message to that CA a little while after I sent the numbers; stating: 'Also; in the future; please notify dispatch of your intent/desire to deviate from the filed plan. An 8;000ft altitude change is something we like to have a heads up about. Thanks.' I'm not sure what this CA thought about the situation because he chose not to discuss it with me. I understand they can run their own numbers and figure out if the deviation will work. However; it is important for communication to occur in all aspects of the flight; especially with the amount of safety concerns that could occur. I think really stressing to the pilots; while in training or through memos; whatever it takes; the importance of communicating with Dispatch could help prevent situations like this from occurring in the future. Complacency; especially in this field; can be a very dangerous thing.
Dispatcher reported that a Captain changed cruise altitude without notifying Dispatch.