Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Total 6800
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
General Evacuated
Aircraft
We had just closed the FWD cabin door prior to pushback; when the No. 1 Flight Attendant alerted the cockpit crew that the cabin was filling with smoke.  The Captain instructed me to notify ramp to have the jet bridge brought back into boarding position. As I was notifying ramp via the radio; the Captain and No.1 Flight Attendant were discussing evacuation.  Smoke began to enter the cockpit and a decision by the Captain and No.1 Flight Attendant was made to do an emergency evacuation due to the amount of smoke and the delay in getting the jet bridge back into position. Allowing the gate agent to remain at the jet bridge till the plane is pushed back could provide another avenue of exit/safety if this was to occur again.
After the cabin door was closed and we were preparing for pushback; the number one Flight Attendant stated that there was smoke in the cabin. After confirming the smoke; we called Ramp Control to have the gate agent return and reattach the jet bridge to the aircraft to remove the passengers. We also requested emergency vehicles to meet the aircraft. The smoke continued to get thicker pretty quickly so the number one Flight Attendant and the Captain elected to evacuate the aircraft.
MD83 flight crew was informed by the Lead Flight Attendant that the cabin was filling with smoke as the crew is preparing for push back. The jetway was unable to be moved into position in a timely manner and the Captain elects evacuate at the gate via the slides.