Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Human Factors; Equipment / Tooling
While reporting for flight XXXX; it was determined that the First Officer (FO) did not have his EFB/IPAD. We attempted to secure a loaner; however the loaner iPad did not allow a sign in. We contacted the [Chief Pilot] and received clearance to conduct single EFB procedures in strict accordance with the FOM for our flight up to ZZZ1. We also strictly followed FOM guidance on the alternate signing procedures for fit to fly and safety of flight as the FO could not electronically sign. We dealt with a large amount of confusion (on CLP's end) when contacting CLP (Central Load Planning) about the requirement to confirm that we had followed the alternate procedures. We had to quote the specific FOM reference as they were; in general; completely unaware of alternate signing procedures. We were able to secure a functioning loaner iPad in ZZZ1. However; the First Officer was still unable to electronically sign. We strictly followed alternate signing procedures throughout the trip. We continued to face confusion and in some cases outright hostility from CLP when we contacted them as required by the FOM. In each case we handed out a hard copy without signatures to station personnel and instructed them that these documents were to be retained. This week I was contacted by the event [review] team and told it was determined that we were not in compliance. This is not correct. There is obviously some missing step (possibly on CLP's end) where that team did not record our use of the FOM guidance on alternate signing procedures. To the best of my knowledge we were completely operating in compliance and spending a significant of administrative effort to do so. In closing I would like to sincerely thank the event review team for all of the time and effort each of you spend in helping to make this a safe operation. [Captain recommends] IT improvements that allow E-signing on loaner iPads.
Airline Captain reported a communication breakdown with Central Load Planning regarding a loaner Ipad for First Officer which may have led to being out-of-compliance.