Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 470
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter FOD
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure; Company Policy
While parking we noticed FOD in the gate Safety Zone. We had an airplane swap; and when we went to that gate we noticed lots of FOD in and around the Safety Zone. While observing the activities on the flight line; we observed that Ramp Agents did not conduct a FOD walkdown before the departing aircraft was pushed off the gate; nor did the Ramp Agents conduct a FOD walkdown before our new aircraft pulled in. I noticed FOD scattered throughout the Safety Zone; so I entered the Safety Zone after the aircraft pulled out and before the next aircraft pulled in and picked up as much FOD as I could in about 60 seconds. I picked up the following FOD as the Ramp Agents stood around watching me: 1 zipper pull with nylon strap; 3 zipper pulls; 2 baggage emblems; 1 metal paper clip; 1 baggage key; 1 metal washer; 3 black pieces of plastic; 3 red stir sticks; and 3 paper baggage tags. Among the LAS Ramp Agents; there seemed to be no interest or any sense of urgency to pick up any of the FOD in the Safety Zone or the large amount of trash around the Safety Zone. I observed at least one individual sitting with his feet propped up on the baggage tug dashboard while listening to his MP3 or cell phone while I was out picking up FOD and trash. The Station Manager needs to take responsibility for ensuring a FOD free environment on the flight line. Please help us to prevent ingesting FOD in our engines by giving the FOD Program some additional emphasis.
Air Carrier Captain laments the large amount of FOD found under and around his aircraft during preflight.