Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 89; Flight Crew Total 10000; Flight Crew Type 917
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy
When preparing for pushback at ZZZ; the ramp called ready and asked if we could release the brakes for aircraft capture. I replied that I could not and asked if the ramper was familiar with the fact that we are not allowed to do so until we are cleared to push. She responded that yes she was; but that her superiors told them to ask for brake release early so that they can get the on time. She said this is a consistent message from her leadership.There is no reason why we can't release the brakes for aircraft capture prior to receiving the push clearance. The capture process takes some time anyways and it would be helpful to have it complete when actually cleared to push.Flight Operations and the ramp department need to come to agreement on the procedures here. We are constantly asked to release the brake prior to being cleared to push; particularly in ZZZ.
Captain reported that it is unclear if company policy allows brake release to be done prior to receiving clearance to push.