Narrative:

The chief pilot on duty has requested that I; (the captain) submit a report explaining my 'reasoning' for changing the dispatch filed route to a different route which required more fuel and enroute time. In essence the answer is because the originally filed dispatch release and flight plan route would have the flight flying into a known severe red box weather area. In my opinion as pilot in command; the flight could not have operated safely as originally flight planned and released; so an amended flight plan and route was requested which would avoid the area of severe thunderstorms; would allow for a safely operated flight and would accommodate the passengers with only a thirty minute delayed arrival. As originally filed; the flight was dispatched into a solid to broken line of severe thunderstorm activity with tops up to fifty five thousand feet; all across northern florida. My independent analysis of the weather data forty five minutes before departure time and at departure time; included reviewing the recent radar summary depictions for northern florida; convective SIGMET; forecasts; and weather reports; etc.; all of which indicated that dispatch needed to be advised that the flight could not safely be operated as dispatch had filed. I have the copies of the weather reports; radar summaries; and the active SIGMET; which justify my reasoning for requesting a safe route with the required amount of fuel. Dispatcher was apparently unhappy with my decision making; as he called to complain to the chief pilot on duty about my requests. As a result of his complaint; I submit my report which explains my 'reasoning' or explains my decision to exercise my pilot in command authority as to whether or not the aircraft may be safely operated in accordance with regulations; company procedures and policies. After landing on time; I called and talked to the chief pilot on duty and he indicated that he had not looked at the weather; and was responding to the complaints of the dispatcher; requesting that the captain 'explain' his reasoning for a different route which required more fuel.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B757 Captain is asked to explain his decision to request a flight plan around forecast severe weather by the Chief Pilot on duty.

Narrative: The Chief Pilot on duty has requested that I; (the Captain) submit a report explaining my 'reasoning' for changing the dispatch filed route to a different route which required more fuel and enroute time. In essence the answer is because the originally filed dispatch release and flight plan route would have the flight flying into a known severe red box weather area. In my opinion as pilot in command; the flight could not have operated safely as originally flight planned and released; so an amended flight plan and route was requested which would avoid the area of severe thunderstorms; would allow for a safely operated flight and would accommodate the passengers with only a thirty minute delayed arrival. As originally filed; the flight was dispatched into a solid to broken line of severe thunderstorm activity with tops up to fifty five thousand feet; all across northern Florida. My independent analysis of the weather data forty five minutes before departure time and at departure time; included reviewing the recent radar summary depictions for Northern Florida; convective SIGMET; forecasts; and weather reports; etc.; all of which indicated that Dispatch needed to be advised that the flight could not safely be operated as Dispatch had filed. I have the copies of the weather reports; radar summaries; and the active SIGMET; which justify my reasoning for requesting a safe route with the required amount of fuel. Dispatcher was apparently unhappy with my decision making; as he called to complain to the Chief Pilot on duty about my requests. As a result of his complaint; I submit my report which explains my 'reasoning' or explains my decision to exercise my pilot in command authority as to whether or not the aircraft may be safely operated in accordance with regulations; company procedures and policies. After landing on time; I called and talked to the Chief Pilot on duty and he indicated that he had not looked at the weather; and was responding to the complaints of the Dispatcher; requesting that the Captain 'explain' his reasoning for a different route which required more fuel.

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.