Narrative:

As we contacted the pushback driver for the required exchange of call outs; we finished running the before pushback checklist. The first officer and I; and company dispatcher doing his annual qualification on the jumpseat; were all listening on the flight interphone to the exchange between the pushback driver and me. All call outs were normal up to the pushback call for 'brakes set'. Once the return reply 'brakes set' was said by me; at that second the communication plugs were pulled and the communications ended. All three of us in the cockpit heard the headset connection plugs pulled out along with the door shut. I also watched the ramp agent walk away with the box in hand.this was very disturbing because we were starting the new 737 maximum engines; and number 2 was not stable and running yet. I was hoping for them to stay until we cleared them off; as per procedure. They all started to walk off without even any hand signals. I opened my window; and with number 1 still shut down; I got the attention of the nearby wing walker; and asked him to tell the pushback to 'hook back up'. After enduring their looks as if I had asked them to do something insane; they hooked back up. At this point all three of us in the cockpit listened to what I could only call a cover up for their poor and improper adherence to our procedures. We didn't have any communication problems during this push; it was crystal clear; all up to this re-plug in. It was still very clear; however; every time I made a call or statement on the interphone; it was followed by the pushback saying 'can you hear me'. I changed the pace of my calls; different intervals; and was never interrupted; just the reply; 'can you hear me' after each of my responses. You could tell they were making a joke out of this. I stated on the intercom that this entire pushback is so wrong; and their attitudes showed they don't care. 'I will write this up; and this activity will stop'. After my comments; he responded in a manner that showed he heard me just fine. All three of us in the cockpit listened and observed this low moment in communications intended for safety. The other two crew members are willing to verify this report. This type of unsafe; anti-procedure behavior cannot be tolerated. This is becoming a nation-wide trend; with this being one of the worst examples. I'm sure excuses will be made concerning poor communications involving equipment. I will not buy that excuse in this example. The attitudes on the ramp came through loud and clear on this day that they do not buy into our company procedures.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A pilot reported a tug driver and ramp crew did not follow proper procedures during pushback.

Narrative: As we contacted the Pushback Driver for the required exchange of call outs; we finished running the Before Pushback Checklist. The First Officer and I; and Company Dispatcher doing his annual qualification on the jumpseat; were all listening on the Flight interphone to the exchange between the Pushback Driver and me. All call outs were normal up to the pushback call for 'Brakes Set'. Once the return reply 'Brakes Set' was said by me; at that second the communication plugs were pulled and the communications ended. All three of us in the cockpit heard the headset connection plugs pulled out along with the door shut. I also watched the Ramp Agent walk away with the box in hand.This was very disturbing because we were starting the new 737 MAX engines; and number 2 was not stable and running yet. I was hoping for them to stay until we cleared them off; as per procedure. They all started to walk off without even any hand signals. I opened my window; and with number 1 still shut down; I got the attention of the nearby Wing Walker; and asked him to tell the pushback to 'hook back up'. After enduring their looks as if I had asked them to do something insane; they hooked back up. At this point all three of us in the cockpit listened to what I could only call a cover up for their poor and improper adherence to our procedures. We didn't have any communication problems during this push; it was crystal clear; all up to this re-plug in. It was still very clear; however; every time I made a call or statement on the interphone; it was followed by the pushback saying 'can you hear me'. I changed the pace of my calls; different intervals; and was never interrupted; just the reply; 'can you hear me' after each of my responses. You could tell they were making a joke out of this. I stated on the intercom that this entire pushback is so wrong; and their attitudes showed they don't care. 'I will write this up; and this activity will stop'. After my comments; he responded in a manner that showed he heard me just fine. All three of us in the cockpit listened and observed this low moment in communications intended for Safety. The other two Crew Members are willing to verify this report. This type of unsafe; anti-procedure behavior cannot be tolerated. This is becoming a nation-wide trend; with this being one of the worst examples. I'm sure excuses will be made concerning poor communications involving equipment. I will not buy that excuse in this example. The attitudes on the Ramp came through loud and clear on this day that they do not buy into our Company procedures.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.