Narrative:

My crew and I arrived at the airport at xa:15 for a xa:25 show. Upon approaching the aircraft we noticed no gpu or air cart hooked up. Upon completing the cockpit and documents inspection I called ZZZ1 ops over the radio at xa:25 to get a gpu hooked up and was informed that 'the ramp agents don't show up until xa:30'. Xa:35 the gpu only is hooked up and I was able to complete my first flight of the day checks. Xa:43 I brief my crew members and give a detailed briefing to the flight attendant. Xa:52 after unsuccessfully trying to reach ZZZ1 ops over the radio; I called the land line and left a voicemail advising 'ready to board ZZZ2'. Xa:54 I was able to get a ramp agent's attention to get the boarding process started and the #2 engine start acknowledged. After completing the checklists and getting the 'clear on 2' from my first officer who visually cleared the right engine; I proceeded with the engine start sequence. At this time; looking out the front window the ramp agent stationed at the nose of the aircraft did not give me an abort start signal and when looking out the side window I saw a ramp agent gesticulating all the while the passengers where boarding. The ramp agent was pointing out fingers at me and shouting words that could not be heard from the inside of the cockpit. The ramp agent then entered the cabin to exchange words with a passenger. While outside; the ramp agent did not give me an abort start signal and he did not appear to be raising a safety related issue. Xa:58 my flight attendant informed me that the boarding process won't be complete by the valid time. At this time I took a pause and went outside the cockpit. I saw the ramp agent at the rear of the aircraft and I approached him to advise the ramp agent not to do that again in front of our passengers or I will have to write him up. As we stood by the cargo door area; pointing fingers at each other he walked past me in very close proximity trying to get the attention of the other ramp agents. He did not volunteer any information to explain his behavior. Xb:05 main cabin door is closed and the flight departed on time.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier Captain reported an incident with ground crew during gate departure operations.

Narrative: My crew and I arrived at the airport at XA:15 for a XA:25 show. Upon approaching the aircraft we noticed no GPU or air cart hooked up. Upon completing the cockpit and documents inspection I called ZZZ1 ops over the radio at XA:25 to get a GPU hooked up and was informed that 'the ramp agents don't show up until XA:30'. XA:35 the GPU only is hooked up and I was able to complete my first flight of the day checks. XA:43 I brief my crew members and give a detailed briefing to the Flight Attendant. XA:52 after unsuccessfully trying to reach ZZZ1 ops over the radio; I called the land line and left a voicemail advising 'ready to board ZZZ2'. XA:54 I was able to get a Ramp Agent's attention to get the boarding process started and the #2 engine start acknowledged. After completing the checklists and getting the 'Clear on 2' from my First Officer who visually cleared the right engine; I proceeded with the engine start sequence. At this time; looking out the front window the Ramp Agent stationed at the nose of the aircraft did not give me an abort start signal and when looking out the side window I saw a Ramp Agent gesticulating all the while the passengers where boarding. The Ramp Agent was pointing out fingers at me and shouting words that could not be heard from the inside of the cockpit. The Ramp Agent then entered the cabin to exchange words with a passenger. While outside; the Ramp Agent did not give me an abort start signal and he did not appear to be raising a safety related issue. XA:58 my flight attendant informed me that the boarding process won't be complete by the valid time. At this time I took a pause and went outside the cockpit. I saw the Ramp Agent at the rear of the aircraft and I approached him to advise the Ramp Agent not to do that again in front of our passengers or I will have to write him up. As we stood by the cargo door area; pointing fingers at each other he walked past me in very close proximity trying to get the attention of the other ramp agents. He did not volunteer any information to explain his behavior. XB:05 main cabin door is closed and the flight departed on time.

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.