Narrative:

Flight was extremely late; due to unavailability of airplane. When it arrived it was boarded and we were ready to go. Catering truck was still boarding meals and was about to move to door 1R when agents (2) came at separate times to ask if we were ready to go. I said yes; we were ready; but told both not to close the door; because the galley truck outside the forward galley would prevent our arming slides; and I didn't want us sitting there for an undetermined time with no exits available for our fully loaded airplane. Each said; 'the gate controller wants us to close it now'. I told them both to tell gate that the captain said not to close the door; until the truck was finished. The same thing was told to both agents; and each said; 'ok; I'll tell them'. There was no misunderstanding of what I wanted. About 4-5 minutes before the truck was finished loading the galleys; the passenger door was closed; without my permission; and the jetway was retracted. At that point; since the truck was still outside door 1R; we could not arm doors for departure; just as I was concerned about. So we sat there for several minutes with no slides armed; no exits available for our passengers. Our agents and our gate controllers need to be told; and need to understand; in no uncertain terms; 'when the captain says no; don't do it'! If there's an issue later; that can be dealt with. But I'm very tired of being second guessed by a gate controller or agent on items they have no training or legal responsibility for. The captain is the final authority as to the operation of the aircraft per the far's; and if he/she abuses that responsibility; it is an issue for flight operations management to deal with; not someone who doesn't have the training or understanding; let alone the responsibility to know how to deal with it. How many times has this been reported and supposedly handled? Why is it so hard to tell them; 'just do what the captain says; and you're off the hook'. Report the reason; truthfully report the reason for the delay; and it is off your back! Let's get this fixed before someone gets hurt because of it. The only reason I didn't insist over the radio that the jetway be brought back was that it would have added significantly to the already ridiculously long delay; and we thought maybe they knew the truck was leaving. That was not the case. Next time; however; I will insist that it be brought back; regardless of the delay; and I will most likely have to leave the airplane to talk with the party who is responsible for causing it. That; of course; will make the delay even longer. But this has to be stopped. Since management appears unwilling to do it; I guess it will be up to the captains to do it ourselves. If someone has a problem with that; we can talk with my chief pilot about it.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B777 Captain reports gate agent closing the main cabin door and removing the Jetway prior to catering being completed; and directly opposed to the Captain's stated wishes.

Narrative: Flight was extremely late; due to unavailability of airplane. When it arrived it was boarded and we were ready to go. Catering truck was still boarding meals and was about to move to door 1R when agents (2) came at separate times to ask if we were ready to go. I said yes; we were ready; but told both NOT to close the door; because the galley truck outside the forward galley would prevent our arming slides; and I didn't want us sitting there for an undetermined time with no exits available for our fully loaded airplane. Each said; 'The gate controller wants us to close it now'. I told them both to tell gate that the Captain said NOT to close the door; until the truck was finished. The same thing was told to both agents; and each said; 'OK; I'll tell them'. There was no misunderstanding of what I wanted. About 4-5 minutes before the truck was finished loading the galleys; the passenger door was closed; without my permission; and the jetway was retracted. At that point; since the truck was still outside door 1R; we could not arm doors for departure; just as I was concerned about. So we sat there for several minutes with no slides armed; no exits available for our passengers. Our agents and our gate controllers need to be told; and need to understand; in no uncertain terms; 'WHEN THE CAPTAIN SAYS NO; DON'T DO IT'! If there's an issue later; that can be dealt with. But I'm very tired of being second guessed by a gate controller or agent on items they have no training or legal responsibility for. The Captain is the final authority as to the operation of the aircraft per the FAR's; and if he/she abuses that responsibility; it is an issue for flight operations management to deal with; not someone who doesn't have the training or understanding; let alone the responsibility to know how to deal with it. How many times has this been reported and supposedly handled? Why is it so hard to tell them; 'Just do what the Captain says; and you're off the hook'. Report the reason; truthfully report the reason for the delay; and it is off your back! Let's get this fixed before someone gets hurt because of it. The only reason I didn't insist over the radio that the jetway be brought back was that it would have added significantly to the already ridiculously long delay; and we thought maybe they knew the truck was leaving. That was not the case. Next time; however; I will insist that it be brought back; regardless of the delay; and I will most likely have to leave the airplane to talk with the party who is responsible for causing it. That; of course; will make the delay even longer. But this has to be stopped. Since management appears unwilling to do it; I guess it will be up to the Captains to do it ourselves. If someone has a problem with that; we can talk with my Chief Pilot about it.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.