Narrative:

On the previous flight the flight attendants reported an unusual odor in cabin. By the end of the flight we could detect it in cockpit. Next 2 flights were canceled while maintenance researched problem. Maintenance signed off after replacing a filter; and we were dispatched on our next flight. During climb; the flight attendants again reported the smell. We could faintly detect odor in cockpit. It smelled like something hot or melting; and was coming from air conditioning system. We sent an ACARS message to maintenance control and attempted to isolate the source by turning off packs one at a time. We were unable to identify source; and odor seemed to get stronger. We both donned oxygen masks. The flight attendants reported odor got better; then worse; but couldn't tell us exactly when. We landed uneventfully and taxied to our assigned gate. After a delay of about two minutes we were marshaled into the gate; there was no jetway driver. We called operations for a driver and explained we needed to get the doors open immediately due to odor/fumes in cabin. It took several calls and approximately five minutes to get 1L door open.we have been told that the dangerous unknown odor smells like dirty socks. We were not sure what that means. Odors are hard to describe; but we need a better description than 'dirty socks'. One of the flight attendants had experienced the dirty sock smell; and had reported this smelled different. Since she said it was different and no one was complaining of irritation; I did not declare an emergency; but was in contact with dispatch and maintenance control. I expected expeditious handling by company personnel after landing and did not receive it. In retrospect; I should have declared an emergency and considered a diversion to get the door open sooner and the passengers off the airplane.we have a problem with possibly toxic odors on aircraft. This has to be remedied. Ground personnel need to be educated about the severity of what is happening; and trained to react in an expeditious manner. Maintenance control has to understand that the crew's primary duty is to safely fly the airplane; not troubleshoot problems. Station personnel need to be ready to recover aircraft with no delay; especially one with a problem.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An A319 Captain addressed his disappointment with the lack of timely and appropriate response by ground personnel to the needs of his aircraft and those aboard following complaints of potentially hazardous odors/fumes in the cabin during flight.

Narrative: On the previous flight the Flight Attendants reported an unusual odor in cabin. By the end of the flight we could detect it in cockpit. Next 2 flights were canceled while Maintenance researched problem. Maintenance signed off after replacing a filter; and we were dispatched on our next flight. During climb; the Flight Attendants again reported the smell. We could faintly detect odor in cockpit. It smelled like something hot or melting; and was coming from air conditioning system. We sent an ACARS message to Maintenance Control and attempted to isolate the source by turning off packs one at a time. We were unable to identify source; and odor seemed to get stronger. We both donned oxygen masks. The Flight Attendants reported odor got better; then worse; but couldn't tell us exactly when. We landed uneventfully and taxied to our assigned gate. After a delay of about two minutes we were marshaled into the gate; there was no jetway driver. We called Operations for a driver and explained we needed to get the doors open immediately due to odor/fumes in cabin. It took several calls and approximately five minutes to get 1L door open.We have been told that the dangerous unknown odor smells like dirty socks. We were not sure what that means. Odors are hard to describe; but we need a better description than 'dirty socks'. One of the Flight Attendants had experienced the dirty sock smell; and had reported this smelled different. Since she said it was different and no one was complaining of irritation; I did not declare an emergency; but was in contact with Dispatch and Maintenance Control. I expected expeditious handling by company personnel after landing and did not receive it. In retrospect; I should have declared an emergency and considered a diversion to get the door open sooner and the passengers off the airplane.We have a problem with possibly toxic odors on aircraft. This has to be remedied. Ground personnel need to be educated about the severity of what is happening; and trained to react in an expeditious manner. Maintenance Control has to understand that the crew's PRIMARY duty is to safely fly the airplane; not troubleshoot problems. Station personnel need to be ready to recover aircraft with no delay; especially one with a problem.

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.