EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Time Pressure
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Weight And Balance
Human Factors; Procedure
Told gate agent to not gate check all of the bags since they fit on the plane and [we] were trying to expedite the boarding process. Got the load report in. On the report it showed 56 standard checked bags in Forward F1; 2 standard checked bags in Forward F2; and a scratched out number and another number that looked like 2 in Forward F2 Heavy checked. We asked the ramp crew prior to push back what the real number was for heavy checked; and did they have any gate checked bags. The Ramper replied in broken English that the number in the heavy was to be scratched out; and that the number 2 in Forward F2 were the gate checked. We then entered 58 total in the forward cargo hold since after inquiry that was what the load report showed. When we ran numbers for takeoff; we were showing 243 pounds overweight with the 58 bags and takeoff fuel. We ended up burning 300 pounds of fuel before takeoff to put us below max takeoff weight for the only runway being used that day. Landed and noticed a lot of people waiting in the jet way for bags. On the walk around; I noticed that there were no gate checked bags being unloaded from the forward cargo bin. Thought they checked gate checked bags to baggage claim. Ground crew came back and said wait; there are a bunch of gate checked bags in the AFT cargo bin. I asked are you sure because our paperwork; and after verbal verification; we are showing nothing was loaded in the AFT cargo bin. The ground crew checked; and there were several bags that were loaded in the in the AFT cargo bin; number uncertain. The ground crew estimated that there were at least 20 bags in the back if not more. With the additional bags loaded in the aft cargo bin; amount and notification not on the load report; were out of weight and balance parameters on takeoff. I have a copy of the load report if needed for submission.Hire competent ramp crew who can read and write a load report and have been properly trained in the importance of an accurate load report.
We were handed the load sheet. Under 'forward baggage pieces' there were '56' listed in 'F1 checked' and '2' listed in 'F2/RF.' Under 'Heavy checked' and 'F2/RF' there was a number that was scratched out. We asked a ramper for clarification. He said the 2 was the two gate check bags. I asked about the scratched out number below and he said it was a mistake and there weren't any. There was nothing listed in the rear cargo. The First Officer entered a total of 58 bags for the weight and balance.  We knew we were close to the max takeoff weight due to the high density altitude so I choose to do a no flex (max thrust) takeoff. We even delayed our takeoff a few minutes to make sure we burned the required amount of fuel to be underweight.After arriving the First Officer saw a lot of people waiting for green tag bags and spoke with ramp. Ramp estimated pulling off probably more than 20 bags from the aft cargo. Since we were already close to our max takeoff weight before the discovery of these additional bags; it is highly likely that we exceeded our max takeoff weight.The aircraft was late inbound and we were all trying to turn the airplane quickly. This may have led to complacency. The '2' was not written in the correct spot and the scratched out number led to some confusion. We thought we had it straightened out but the ramper didn't mention the bags in the aft cargo. This was probably because he thought it was already written down for us. I wonder if the scratched out number was the number of bags in the aft cargo. I also realized later than a line was drawn through sections that did not have anything such as 'cargo information (weight only)' but a line was not drawn through the 'baggage information (piece count only) aft pieces.' This should have prompted me to ask if the aft cargo really had nothing in it or if they just forgot to list it.Many rampers; after handing us the load sheet; will verbally tell us what we have. This serves as a double check and is very helpful in some cases with poor handwriting. We should all take an extra second to double check and clear up any confusion. Safety should always trump the pressure for a quick turn.
ERJ-170 crew inadvertently took off overweight when the ground crew failed to communicate the correct number and location of all gate-checked bags.