Narrative:

XA45, I pointed out to captain the oil level was 55% and 50% for engines #1 and #2, suggested add oil. Captain, 'that is enough, don't want to spend extra time and money on contract maintenance.' I pointed out levels below parameter of 60%, again was told not to worry about it. The captain added, 'we're going anyway.' started engines, I pointed out oil quantity was 35% and 30% for engines #1 and #2. Captain told me that it was fine, I pointed out the level was 30% below minimum parameters. I asked captain at what point we were going to address the oil issue. Captain, '20%' -- very distinctly. He asked if I wanted to go back and delay the flight, for something that was ok. I stated that I did not agree with continuing the takeoff, but that it is ultimately under his captain authority/authorized to make the final decision. We proceeded. Departed sjc and on climb out, oil was 17 and 6% for engines #1 and #2. I said, 'now it is obvious we need to return to the airport.' captain, 'continue to level off.' I stopped at 5000 ft, oil increased to approximately 20% range. I stated, 'I totally disagree with this decision, and I think we need to return to the airport.' captain again said continue, and added, 'we can land in la if needed.' we proceeded. Flew flight with oil between 40 and 22%, discussed situation with captain at altitude, he agreed it was the wrong decision on his part. Also, discussed failures with CRM, and barriers to open communication. Flight landed without a problem, oil at gate was between 20-30%.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 FO RPT ON A FAILED CRM ATTEMPT REGARDING LOW OIL QUANTITY AT DEP ARPT WITH CAPT STILL INSISTING ON DEP FOR DEST ON TIME WITHOUT ADDING ENG OIL AT SJC.

Narrative: XA45, I POINTED OUT TO CAPT THE OIL LEVEL WAS 55% AND 50% FOR ENGS #1 AND #2, SUGGESTED ADD OIL. CAPT, 'THAT IS ENOUGH, DON'T WANT TO SPEND EXTRA TIME AND MONEY ON CONTRACT MAINT.' I POINTED OUT LEVELS BELOW PARAMETER OF 60%, AGAIN WAS TOLD NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT. THE CAPT ADDED, 'WE'RE GOING ANYWAY.' STARTED ENGS, I POINTED OUT OIL QUANTITY WAS 35% AND 30% FOR ENGS #1 AND #2. CAPT TOLD ME THAT IT WAS FINE, I POINTED OUT THE LEVEL WAS 30% BELOW MINIMUM PARAMETERS. I ASKED CAPT AT WHAT POINT WE WERE GOING TO ADDRESS THE OIL ISSUE. CAPT, '20%' -- VERY DISTINCTLY. HE ASKED IF I WANTED TO GO BACK AND DELAY THE FLT, FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS OK. I STATED THAT I DID NOT AGREE WITH CONTINUING THE TKOF, BUT THAT IT IS ULTIMATELY UNDER HIS CAPT AUTH TO MAKE THE FINAL DECISION. WE PROCEEDED. DEPARTED SJC AND ON CLBOUT, OIL WAS 17 AND 6% FOR ENGS #1 AND #2. I SAID, 'NOW IT IS OBVIOUS WE NEED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT.' CAPT, 'CONTINUE TO LEVEL OFF.' I STOPPED AT 5000 FT, OIL INCREASED TO APPROX 20% RANGE. I STATED, 'I TOTALLY DISAGREE WITH THIS DECISION, AND I THINK WE NEED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT.' CAPT AGAIN SAID CONTINUE, AND ADDED, 'WE CAN LAND IN LA IF NEEDED.' WE PROCEEDED. FLEW FLT WITH OIL BTWN 40 AND 22%, DISCUSSED SIT WITH CAPT AT ALT, HE AGREED IT WAS THE WRONG DECISION ON HIS PART. ALSO, DISCUSSED FAILURES WITH CRM, AND BARRIERS TO OPEN COM. FLT LANDED WITHOUT A PROB, OIL AT GATE WAS BTWN 20-30%.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 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.