EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Troubleshooting; Workload; Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Time Pressure; Training / Qualification
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Chart Or Publication; Company Policy; Procedure
This is what happened today as we showed up to the plane this morning to do [our] flight. I said hello to the gate agent and went downstairs to do my preflight checks. The security sheet was already filled out on the pedestal. I did my flight preparations and looked at the security sheet. I then noticed that it was dated with yesterdays date and time. About 15 min prior to our authorized departure time; I brought this to the attention of the Gate Agent. She stated that this is normal and that they always do the inspection after the flight terminates from the previous night. I told her that this was first time I have seen it done like that. I then proceeded downstairs to finish my flight preparations. I did not feel at this point that the Gate Agent was correct and brought that up to my First Officer's attention. He also agreed that they shouldn't have filled out that portion; as it was for crew to complete. I then decided to change the date on the form to read today's date and time; when the actual search was completed. The form specifically states in parentheses (Crew Completes).  About 5 minutes prior to our departure time we were ready to close the door and I handed out the paperwork to the Gate Agent. I stated to her; that I changed the time and date on the Aircraft Search Checklist; explaining that we are supposed to complete the date and time.  She then stated that I have tampered with the Search Checklist and now it's not valid because it does not match the original that they have on file. I was confused about this and she went on to say that they have been filling out the forms like that for the past 3 months.  After trying to explain to her that the crew has to complete today's date and time once our portion of the form was filled out; she stated that if they get audited it will be a complete disaster. I then proceeded to call operations and the Manager on Duty. I left a message for our Manager on Duty but never received a call back. My First Officer also tried calling but without any luck. I contacted our Dispatcher once again and explained the situation. The Dispatcher wasn't sure as to the proper procedure. I tried to look up the particular section in our FOM but couldn't find anything pertaining as to the date and time stamp. After about 20 minutes I asked the gate agent to bring us a new form so we wouldn't delay the flight further. She brought a new form and I filled out my portion. I then gave the Cabin Portion to be filled by our A Flight Attendant. The Gate Agent started querying her if she was qualified to do these checks. She took the form and asked about each individual line if the Flight Attendant was qualified to perform the checks.  She also stated that we can't do checks with the passengers on board. I stated to her that the checks were performed by our crew before passengers embarked the aircraft.  She also stated; that she is the Ground Security Coordinator and she knows what she is talking about.  She also stated that she didn't think that the flight attendants were able to do these checks. She then proceeded to review the security sheet line by line with our A Flight Attendant until the point that our Flight Attendant stated to her that she was trained on everything except the last two items on the form of the Cabin Areas check.  At this point; we were about 30 min past departure time and I asked her to give us the original form to fill out since I did not want to delay the flight further. I did not feel that there was any security breach of any sort and the form was filled out correctly apart from the date and time stamp. I told the agent that I would complete the form with the original date and time that was put on the form; as not to delay the flight further. I also told her that I would try to resolve this later; since I wasn't getting any help from operations nor our on duty manager. I asked her if this was acceptable to her and she replied with 'I guess will see' and took the form.We closed the door the proceeded with our flight without further incident.  After we landed I found the section of our company manual reads: 'A thorough search of all aircraft(including overnighting  aircraft) will be conducted at the beginning of each calendar day after aircraft servicing and prior to boarding any passengers.' Apart from this the form itself states at the date column and the time search completed column 'Crew Completes'.  The gate agent was also trying to tell us that 'Crew Completes' means the Cleaning Crew is supposed to complete the form. Provide better training for gate agents.
An ERJ-175 Captain discovered the Preflight Security Inspection form had been completed the night before after the aircraft's arrival. When the crew's preflight was complete; the Captain changed the date and time but the Gate Agent objected because station personnel were qualified; not flight crews.