Air carrier flight crew reported communication difficulties with push crew during pushback. The push crew left and returned in the middle of pushback without notifying the flight crew in order to handle an inbound aircraft at a nearby gate.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported communication difficulties with push crew during pushback. The push crew left and returned in the middle of pushback without notifying the flight crew in order to handle an inbound aircraft at a nearby gate.
Narrative
The flight had been cleared to push from [gate] X by ramp tower but with instructions to give way to an inbound Embraer. I communicated to the push crew that the brakes were released but to give way to the inbound Embraer. The tug driver had a heavy accent which was difficult to understand but he did reply that he understood the instructions. After sitting there for several minutes the FO (First Officer) reported he thought he had seen our push crew run to gate Y to our right to receive an inbound 737 that had been waiting at the top of the line. That plane needed to clear the alley to allow that inbound Embraer to pass. I then called several times to the tug driver but received no response. The FO and I concluded that the driver had also left without telling us. I decided to reset the parking brake. The FO called ramp tower and let them know what was going on.As the FO and I were discussing the situation and getting ready to call Ops; the push crew apparently returned as I felt a slight movement as if the tug had been put into gear. There had been no further communication from the tug driver. I communicated to the driver that the parking brake was set and that we needed to get clearance to push again which he acknowledged. Fortunately the driver did not try to push the aircraft while the brake was set. The pushback was completed without further issue. Due to the communication challenge with the tug driver's accent I was not able to ascertain if the driver actually left the tug during this event.
Second reporter narrative
Preflight routine was uneventful with the exception of being late due to a late inbound aircraft. When the ground crew hooked up to the aircraft; the gentleman was extremely difficult to understand due to a quiet; distorted connection and a difficult accent to understand. When the ground crew was ready to push and the before push checklist was completed; we received clearance to push from gate X after an inbound Embraer going to gate Y. The captain relayed our push clearance to the ground crew and released the parking brake. The Embraer; however; was not able to proceed to their gate because an aircraft was stopped at the top of the lead-in line for gate Y (immediately to our right) waiting for a catch crew. After several minutes of this stand-off; I saw several members of our ground crew running to gate Y to catch the aircraft waiting there. I also saw someone in a supervisor vest look at the rampers running toward Y; look at me; then shrug his shoulders. I communicated to the captain that our ground crew had left to catch the aircraft at Y; and he attempted to call the ground crew on the flight intercom. There had been no communication from the ground crew about them leaving; and there was no response to the Captain's flight intercom call. We both assumed our entire crew had left our aircraft without telling us. The captain set the parking brake and I radioed Ramp to tell them we were not ready to push. Ramp told us to call them back when we were ready. Several more minutes passed. After the Embraer passed behind us and before our rampers had returned from Y; we felt some jostling motion and heard some noises at the nose gear associated with tow tractor operations. It felt as though the tug was either being hooked up or they were trying to push us. The captain called on the flight intercom again and this time received a response from the ground. After some additional communication (again; difficult to understand because of a poor connection and a difficult accent); the Captain was able to confirm that the crew was ready to push us. Upon receiving another Ramp clearance to push; we were on our way.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.