Widebody; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Total 13157; Flight Crew Type 8039
Situational Awareness; Distraction; Confusion; Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Security; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Passenger Misconduct
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Company Policy; Procedure; Human Factors
FAA ASI (Aviation Safety Inspector) requests jumpseat ride to an international destination. He is an avionics tech attempting to enroute check us for a free ride to an international destination. ASI inspector is sporting a beard/goatee. I informed him of the FOM (Flight Operations Manual) and explained the grooming code of conduct. I asked him to take a seat in back. He refused. My FO and I were then directly threatened with losing our licenses to fly. He said 'The last pilot that attempted to have him removed had his license revoked by the FAA and never flew again.' I immediately called for Supervisor help.  We were being threatened at a high level. The Supervisor came to our support and we both sincerely appreciate his efforts. He suggested complete removal. We had a choice. Either the ASI leaves; we leave or the ASI moves to a seat in back. At this point we were pushing CCO (Crew Critical Offtime) times and if we removed the ASI from the airplane both I and my FO would have to follow protocol and file reports before departure to protect us. This would have cancelled the flight and caused a huge disruption to our operation. At this point the distraction and disruption was elevated high enough to walk off. My FO and I decided the easiest and quickest recovery of the operation was to seat the ASI in the back and go. The ASI called his supervisor who confirmed leaving the cockpit and take a seat in the cabin. The ASI delayed our flight by having to go on to the ramp to find a signal for his cell phone to get hold of his office. No crewmember should EVER be threatened like this from an ASI. This was blatant disregard for our FOM and Captain authority.
An air carrier Captain reported refusing an FAA Air Safety Inspector's request for a jumpseat because his facial hair violated the company grooming code. The Inspector threatened the crew with license revocation; but a Supervisor verified the crew's actions and allowed the Inspector in the cabin.