Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Security; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Passenger Misconduct; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Police / Security Involved; General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Human Factors
The Agent came and told me that a Ramp Agent found a small checked duffle bag smoking as it was coming up the belt loader; and that he threw it on the ramp before it got into the cargo compartment. A Ramp Supervisor found stick matches in a bundle next to the striker strip in a baggie. The matches had apparently struck the striker strip and had started to burn. I called Dispatch and the Safety Officer was listening in. The Chief Pilot on Call was notified by the Dispatcher. The CSS had the Passenger who owned the bag come off the aircraft to discuss the matter and then the CSS let him return to his seat. The Agent notified the TSA Official and the Local Police. I had Maintenance come out and check the cargo compartment door frame and he found no damage. The Ramp Supervisor took the bag to an office to document it for his report. The Police then took custody of the bag and pulled the Passenger from the flight so that they could continue their investigation (I believe he was accommodated on the next XXX flight). I had more fuel put on the aircraft and the Dispatcher affirmed our departure to XXX. We departed without further complication. I failed to brief the Passengers in a timely manner due to the complexity of the situation. I believe we made three PA's but after the first 20 to 25 minutes after the departure time. The Ramp Agent saved our Company a lot of money; let alone the lives of 144 people.As far as the smoking bag; I am glad our Ramp Personnel are watching out for us. As for keeping our Passengers informed every 15 minutes; I will try to be more diligent.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
A Ramp Agent loading bags in a B737 noticed smoke from a bag on a belt loader before it entered the Cargo Compartment; threw the bag on the ramp; and notified the Captain. The smoke's source was stick matches next to a striker pad ignited within a baggie.