Medium Large Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Training / Qualification
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Weight And Balance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Human Factors; Procedure
This safety report is to document a weight and balance training and compliance concern. Due to company enthusiasm to tanker fuel; I was faced with a situation of directing company operations to offload 610 pounds to reduce to our legal maximum weight for the flight. The company solution was to off load carry-on bags from cargo and bring them inside the aircraft cabin where they would no longer exist on the load manifest. I informed them this was not an authorized procedure. Different individuals made an earnest attempt to inform me that this was an authorized procedure. A young lady identified herself as part of the training department; informed me she trained this procedure; that it was directed and approved by management; etc. A second individual identified himself as management and told me it was a recent change and directed by managers above his level. I told both that I was happy to comply if either could show me the procedure in their company manuals. Neither could. I held my ground; 4 passengers were offered incentives to deplane; and we departed 35 minutes late and continued late the remainder of the day. Between discussions; I referenced the applicable FOM and FSM weight and balance sections. I found nothing to support the company position. I found nothing expressly forbidding it; either. I enforced my way based on my prior training and experience. I understand that [Company] and FAA rules change- sometimes many times. If I am wrong; I suspect that I am not the only pilot that missed or has forgotten the bulletin authorizing this procedure. I wish; in that case; to apologize to everyone. If I am correct; then we have a very serious compliance problem.Rule interpretation and training and inability of all concerned to reference the rule.
Air carrier Captain reported he refused an attempt by ramp personnel to fix an overweight concern by moving carry-on bags from cargo compartment to the cabin.