Narrative:

After we closed the main cabin door and completed the engine start check I attempted to contact the ramp to see if they were ready for push with the headset. I was not able to get their attention so I can only assume they did not hear me and the headset on the tug was not functional. After a few moments the tug driver looked up at me and I gave him the 'breaks released' signal. I then gave a 'thumbs up' with the intention to let him know we were ready. I was given a thumbs up signal by the driver signaling to me that the crew was ready; in position; and ready for us to push. The first officer (first officer) called for push and the ramp tower instructed us to hold position. After we were told to hold position the tug driver raised the nose into the bucket and then started to push us back. At no time did I ever give him the 'cleared to push' hand signal. As we started the push back the first officer called the ramp tower and told them we were moving back while I was flashing the nose and landing lights on and off trying to get the drivers attention but he did not look up. I tried to make an X symbol with my arms to try to get the attention of the wing walkers and the first officer tried to get their attention as well on his side. No one on the push crew looked up into the flight deck and we were not able to get them to stop. I eventually got the wing walkers attention while making an X with my arms but by that point we were well clear of the gate and almost complete with the push back. He had a confused look on his face and seemed to not understand why I was making an X with my arms. The next time the tug driver looked up at us was when we were on centerline after the push back to signal me to set my brake. At that point I knew I would not be able to communicate with them so I gave the 'brake set' and 'cleared to disconnect' signal. We proceeded to start both engines and taxied out to the runway without further incident. This event was caused by not having working headsets to have direct communication with the ramp crew; and not understanding the proper forms of hand signals. I feel it is imperative that we have working headsets that at the very minimum allow us to speak to the ramp. I suggest [the company] invest in proper headset equipment. Or if it is known a headset is inop that it is required for the tug driver to come up to the flight deck and tell us and to go over hand signals with us so we all know we are on the same page. In the case of this incident; I had no idea the headset didn't work until the door was closed.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Commercial flight crew reported inability to communicate with ramp crew.

Narrative: After we closed the main cabin door and completed the engine start check I attempted to contact the ramp to see if they were ready for push with the headset. I was not able to get their attention so I can only assume they did not hear me and the headset on the tug was not functional. After a few moments the tug driver looked up at me and I gave him the 'breaks released' signal. I then gave a 'thumbs up' with the intention to let him know we were ready. I was given a thumbs up signal by the driver signaling to me that the crew was ready; in position; and ready for us to push. The FO (First Officer) called for push and the ramp tower instructed us to hold position. After we were told to hold position the tug driver raised the nose into the bucket and then started to push us back. At no time did I ever give him the 'cleared to push' hand signal. As we started the push back the FO called the ramp tower and told them we were moving back while I was flashing the nose and landing lights on and off trying to get the drivers attention but he did not look up. I tried to make an X symbol with my arms to try to get the attention of the wing walkers and the FO tried to get their attention as well on his side. No one on the push crew looked up into the flight deck and we were not able to get them to stop. I eventually got the wing walkers attention while making an X with my arms but by that point we were well clear of the gate and almost complete with the push back. He had a confused look on his face and seemed to not understand why I was making an X with my arms. The next time the tug driver looked up at us was when we were on centerline after the push back to signal me to set my brake. At that point I knew I would not be able to communicate with them so I gave the 'brake set' and 'cleared to disconnect' signal. We proceeded to start both engines and taxied out to the runway without further incident. This event was caused by not having working headsets to have direct communication with the ramp crew; and not understanding the proper forms of hand signals. I feel it is imperative that we have working headsets that at the very minimum allow us to speak to the ramp. I suggest [the company] invest in proper headset equipment. Or if it is known a headset is inop that it is required for the tug driver to come up to the flight deck and tell us and to go over hand signals with us so we all know we are on the same page. In the case of this incident; I had no idea the headset didn't work until the door was closed.

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.