Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 140.92; Flight Crew Total 5730.50; Flight Crew Type 5730.50
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL
General None Reported / Taken
Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure; MEL
Aircraft was dispatched to operate out of ZZZZ; a high altitude airport (+7900') in mountainous terrain with a faulty pressurization system. A subsequent failure of the Alternate channel during Takeoff or initial climb would NOT provide enough time to address the problem causing O2 mask deployment and a divert to an airport not currently served by the airline (assuming airport is not affected by volcanic activity). A return to departing airport would exceed oxygen/altitude time requirements for passengers making it impractical.
B737 Captain reported misgivings when the aircraft assigned for the flight had a faulty pressurization system and he would be operating in to and out of a high altitude airport.