B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Human Factors
The aircraft was towed over to the gate by maintenance. I met the mechanic as he left the cockpit. I asked how the aircraft was and he said 'good'. I went into the cockpit immediately; looked at the logbook; and started the preflight.I noticed the radar was not in 'test mode'; and the weather button had been selected on the MCP. On my navigation display; I saw radar returns on my scope and realized the radar was radiating on the ground. This was going into the terminal and radiating ground personnel. My First Officer was also on the ground directly in front of the radome at approximately 20 feet away. Other personnel were closer. I immediately turned the radar off.This very poor checklist procedure by maintenance which directly jeopardized the health and safety of not only passengers in the terminal but also our employees working around the aircraft. This ionizing radiation can have deleterious irreversible effects upon human health and disease promulgation.I called maintenance on the radio and asked the male person who answered; to inform the individual who was in the cockpit during the towing; to follow the parking checklist maintenance has to ensure safety was not compromised. He replied 'I will; but it won't do any good'. I asked him to make sure the supervisor knows this tow individual did not follow procedure. He replied the radar doesn't turn on if the aircraft is not moving and that he 'didn't have time to deal with me'. He threatened 'I want your name and I'm contacting the Chief Pilot'.Two issues are blatantly obvious here; lack of safety checklists followed; and flippant; ignorant; and disrespectful attitude towards a Captain trying to ensure safety in and around an aircraft. The first is excusable as human error and accepted. The second is completely wrong and merits supervisory involvement to counsel the individual on aircraft radar systems knowledge; and fellow respect to other employees.Ensure all maintenance personnel who tow and park our aircraft; follow safe procedures about the radar. A checklist item should be on the maintenance towing checklist to ensure the radar is turned off.
B737-800 Captain reported finding the weather radar on and operating when he entered the cockpit at the gate. The aircraft had been towed to the gate by Maintenance personnel.