A B767-300 FLT CREW PARKED AT THE GATE AT DEN WAS ASKED BY THE TUG DRIVER TO RELEASE BRAKES BEFORE ACFT WAS READY TO GO.

Narrative

AT DEP TIME THE TRACTOR DRIVER ASKED ME TO RELEASE THE BRAKES FOR AN ON-TIME DEP; AFTER WHICH MORE CUSTOMER LUGGAGE WOULD BE LOADED IN THE PIT. I TOLD HIM THAT I COULD NOT DO THAT DUE TO SOP. HE ASKED ME AGAIN AND SAID THEY HAD EITHER 16 OR 60 BAGS (I AM NOT SURE WHICH NUMBER -- NO MATTER) TO BE LOADED AND WANTED AN ON-TIME TO LOOK GOOD. I AGAIN TOLD HIM THAT THAT WAS CONTRARY TO SOP AND THAT I WOULD NOT DO IT; AND THAT BEFORE I COULD RELEASE THE BRAKES; THE CHKLIST HAD TO BE COMPLETE (INCLUDING DOORS CLOSED) AND WE HAD TO HAVE PUSHBACK CLRNC. HE THEN SAID THAT HE GUESSED THE BAGS WOULD NOT GET ON THE AIRPLANE. I TOLD HIM THAT THAT WOULD NOT BE MY DECISION AND THAT I INTENDED TO FOLLOW SOP. FOLKS; THIS OBSESSION WITH ON-TIME IS GOING TO INJURE OR KILL SOMEONE SOONER OR LATER; BUT IT WILL NOT BE ON MY WATCH. I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING THE KIND OF PRESSURE PLACED ON EMPLOYEES TO GET US OUT ON TIME; BUT THE AGENTS ARE FRANTIC TO GET THE DOOR CLOSED. THEN IN SEVERAL SECONDS WE GET CALLED BY THE TRACTOR DRIVER SAYING THAT HE OR SHE IS READY FOR DEP. RECENTLY I WAS TOLD THAT THE GND CREW HAD COMPLETED THEIR CHKS AND WAS READY TO PUSH WHILE THE JETWAY WAS STILL UP WITH 2L STILL OPEN.