A319 CAPT REPORTS THAT PUSHBACK CREWS ARE ASKING FLT CREWS FOR BRAKE RELEASE PRIOR TO PUSHBACK CLRNC AND IN VIOLATION OF COMPANY POLICY.

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3 OUT OF 4 PUSHBACKS CAME WITH REQUEST FROM RAMP PERSONNEL FOR BRAKE RELEASE PRIOR TO CLRNC FROM CREW. AS THE CREW IS STRICTLY ADHERING TO THE FLT MANUAL PROCS FOR PUSHBACK; THIS REQUEST IS INAPPROPRIATE AND AGAINST WHAT THE COMPANY MGRS ARE SAYING THE RAMP PERSONNEL ARE TRAINED TO DO. RAMP PERSONNEL ARE OBVIOUSLY GETTING A DIFFERENT MESSAGE THAN THE FLT CREWS WITH POTENTIAL SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. CALLBACK CONVERSATION WITH RPTR REVEALED THE FOLLOWING INFO: REPORTER STATED THAT GND PERSONNEL ARE RECEIVING BONUSES FOR ON-TIME DEPARTURES. AS A RESULT; COMPANY PROCEDURES ARE REPEATEDLY VIOLATED IN AN EFFORT TO GET CREDIT FOR PUSHING AN ACFT ON TIME. SINCE THIS TIME IS TRIGGERED BY PARKING BRAKE RELEASE; AN EARLY BRAKE RELEASE HAS BECOME A GOAL IN ITSELF. REPORTER STATED THAT THE GND CREW IS TO NOTIFY THE COCKPIT VIA HEADSET THAT THEIR PREDEPARTURE CHECK IS COMPLETE. THE CAPT WILL RESPOND WITH EITHER 'STANDBY;' OR IF HE HAS RECEIVED CLRNC; 'CLEARED TO PUSH; BRAKES SET.' IT IS THEN THAT GND WILL COMMUNICATE; 'ROGER; RELEASE BRAKES.' REPORTER STATED THAT HE BELIEVES THE GND CREWS ARE ATTEMPTING TO COERCE FLT CREW'S TO RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE EARLY TO ACHIEVE THEIR ON-TIME GOAL.