B757-200
Dispatch Dispatcher
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Distraction; Workload
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Human Factors; Company Policy
During taxi-out the crew was cleared for the SID. This did not match with the flight release the crew had so they questioned dispatch about the routing beyond [transition waypoint]. At the time the dispatcher was unaware of the discrepancy in the paperwork and had planned the flight for the SID departure with the routing remaining the same after [transition waypoint]. The crew then informed the dispatcher that their flight plan showed them departing over [a different waypoint]. It was at this point the dispatcher realized there was a discrepancy in the paperwork and informed the crew they were not to go anywhere until it was sorted out. With information from further discussions with the captain it was determined the crew had been given the flight release [from two days earlier;] resulting in a complete breakdown of the barriers to safety. The flight crew had input the incorrect routing into the FMS and it was unknown to the dispatcher whether or not they had current and correct weather information or takeoff performance data.The flight was not allowed to return to the gate per local ATC so correct paperwork was printed for the crew and delivered to the aircraft waiting in a remote parking spot. This event occurred for multiple reasons as is often the case. First; the paperwork is not scheduled to be released to the system for access by stations until 90 minutes prior to departure. Second our crews no longer have briefing rooms in many of our stations at which to take the time to thoroughly review the paperwork they receive. Third the crews are rushed to the airport; often delayed by traffic or other unforeseen circumstances; rushed through the airport; and finally given the paperwork then rushed to the aircraft. This event occurred because the crews no longer have adequate time or facilities to review their paperwork and brief the crews where more than one set of eyes is looking at things. A barrier to safety has been lost.
B757 flight crew; preparing to depart on an international oceanic flight; received a departure clearance that did not agree with their filed flight plan. When Dispatch was queried; it was noted that the crew had been issued a flight release which was 2 days old. After a 32 minute ground delay; the situation was satisfactorily resolved.