Dispatch Dispatcher
Training / Qualification
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Human Factors
Flight [in] question is [an A319]. MELs are Center Tank Pump; Auto Fuel Feed System and Clock GPS mode. The problem was with MEL [on] Center Tank Pump. Since the center tank pump is inoperative; 1640lbs of fuel is stuck in the center tank. I planned the flight with the wing tanks only which came out to 16700lbs. The MEL manual stated that the dispatcher was to 'notify load planner that any fuel in center tank is considered unusable ballast; must be counted in payload (part of ZFW) and accounted for during weight and balance computations.'After finding that 1640lbs of fuel was in the center tank; I called [load planner] and asked him to adjust the ZFW. His reply was; according to their RF file; they were to use the airplane's standard envelope and no action was required on his part. This not sitting well with me; I called the Loads Supervisor. I explained that we needed to adjust the ZFW by the amount trapped in the center tank and he informed me that he would look into it. A few minutes later; [he] called me back and also stated that CLP was unable to do anything because their RF file stated no action was required. I conferred with other dispatchers and [another manager] who all agreed that some action needed to be taken. The [other manager] and I spoke with [the load supervisor]; who informed us that he would not adjust anything with the ZFW. I advised [load supervisor] that if no action was taken; I would not accept this airplane to fly its mission. During this time; I reached out to [the] Captain and informed him of what was going on. I asked him to please stay at the gate until this situation was resolved. He was okay with that decision. A few minutes later; a [different] load supervisor got involved and shared with everyone that the ZFW is adjusted as ballast weight; as described in the MEL manual; and was able to adjust the weight to reflect 1640lbs of unusable ballast in the center tank. [Flight] pushed 19 minutes late. [Load planners] choosing to not follow the MEL manual directly violated Airline's policies and procedures and potentially FAA regulations.
Air carrier Dispatcher reported some load planners were not aware of all the implications of the MELs on the subject aircraft.