Narrative:

Flight departing sent an ACARS saying they needed their weight and balance. I contacted loads and the reply was the now have their closeout. 20 or so minutes later the ca (captain) called to say that tower told them not to leave; without any explanation. I said; 'everything looks good on the closeout so if you're happy I'm happy.' [the captain] called back and then said that ops had called and told ATC to not let them depart. I tried contacting ramp; turn coordinator; and finally the gate planner answered. He said that ramp had physically loaded ballast in the wrong compartment and the flight would need to come back so that it could be moved to the correct position. I asked him why he did not advise ca (via radio) or myself (via phone call). I told him that contacting ATC for the purpose of delaying a flight is not operations concern or responsibility. Ramp loaded physical ballast in the wrong compartment; but said they put it in the right compartment when closing out; and then; with most likely best of intentions infringed on operational control by contacting ATC. Operations in any facet outside the scope of pilot/dispatcher must contact either or and not act outside their responsibilities. Simply telling the pilot they need to come back without information why; and not telling the dispatcher takes us outside confines of the regulations. If ops needs training on what operational control is defined by 14CFR part 121 then the company needs to provide it.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: EMB-190 Captain and Dispatcher reported communication breakdown between them and Company ramp and operations personnel concerning the placement of cargo compartment ballast.

Narrative: Flight departing sent an ACARS saying they needed their weight and balance. I contacted Loads and the reply was the now have their closeout. 20 or so minutes later the CA (Captain) called to say that tower told them not to leave; without any explanation. I said; 'Everything looks good on the closeout so if you're happy I'm happy.' [The Captain] called back and then said that Ops had called and told ATC to not let them depart. I tried contacting Ramp; Turn Coordinator; and finally the Gate Planner answered. He said that Ramp had physically loaded ballast in the wrong compartment and the flight would need to come back so that it could be moved to the correct position. I asked him why he did not advise CA (via radio) or myself (via phone call). I told him that contacting ATC for the purpose of delaying a flight is not operations concern or responsibility. Ramp loaded physical ballast in the wrong compartment; but said they put it in the right compartment when closing out; and then; with most likely best of intentions infringed on operational control by contacting ATC. Operations in any facet outside the scope of pilot/Dispatcher must contact either or and not act outside their responsibilities. Simply telling the pilot they need to come back without information why; and not telling the Dispatcher takes us outside confines of the regulations. If Ops needs training on what Operational Control is defined by 14CFR Part 121 then the company needs to provide it.

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.