B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 131; Flight Crew Total 21000; Flight Crew Type 3717
Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Security
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors; Procedure
After arranging a bathroom break with the Flight Attendants; and being told they were in position and ready; the 'Door; door; door' alert sounded. Startled; we scrambled to hit the flight deck door hard lock switch. Once the door was secure; we immediately called the Flight Attendants. They were contrite; but perhaps sounded a little confused. I might have been a little curt; saying never use that method of entry again. We decided against a bathroom break after all. We referenced the QRH and ensured that all steps had been covered. On the ground; we debriefed the crew. The Purser had researched the door unlock function immediately after the event in her FAOM and realized the unlock function was for emergencies only. The Flight Attendants had then conferred amongst themselves and discovered that two of them had recently flown with a Captain who had directed them to use that emergency unlock for routine entry and had gotten upset when they failed to use that function. I am not sure if this was the same Captain for both; but I suspect it was. We discussed the difference between the Boeing access panel and the door; and how the Boeing panel is the only one that requires a keypad entry for routine; coordinated flight deck entry. The Flight Attendants understood the difference. They remained adamant that it was the door pad they were directed to use for entry. I showed the Flight Attendants our QRC/QRH; and how the 'Door; door; door' annunciation is alarming; unexpected and not routine. I pointed to the possibility of a level 4 being presumed; unless and until clarification occurs. They absolutely understood; and the matter was settled. I commiserate with their predicament when faced with a Captain who commands them to use a procedure that is meant for emergency access only. It is not the Flight Attendants' action that prompts this report; it is the knowledge that there is a Captain (or two) out there insisting Flight Attendants use an unauthorized and alarming method of entry.
B737 Captain reported a communication breakdown with Flight Attendant regarding setting up for a bathroom break procedure during flight.