Date: 201409
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: IMC
Aircraft: B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Situational Awareness; Distraction; Time Pressure; Communication Breakdown; Workload
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Security; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Pre-flight
Result: General None Reported / Taken
Contributing factors: Company Policy; Human Factors
Primary problem: Company Policy

Narrative: The Agent started boarding the aircraft before the 'Security Checklist' was completed. This happens frequently. From the [operations manual]; 'Prior to boarding; the Agent must ensure that the Cabin Security Search... Inflight; and Flight Deck Security Search...are complete.' In addition; due to having to verify weather and Release items in order to properly brief the FAs; I had to brief the [Lead Attendant] after boarding had commenced. She was distracted by Customers while trying to listen to me. This entire situation created distractions from flight deck and cabin crew duties. The number of passengers on the flight was around 50 so there was no reason to rush boarding other than to meet unrealistic Company timelines.The ontime originator program is sacrificing safety every morning and the pressure to board throughout the day; especially during crew changes; is doing the same. It happens regularly that boarding begins before the crew is ready. Flight Attendants agree to being rushed for boarding out of fear for being reprimanded for delaying a flight. Agents are forced; by company policy; to push boarding on top of unready crews out of fear of being reprimanded for not starting the boarding process in accordance with Company policy.Flight Attendants are required to thoroughly accomplish safety and security inspections. Personal observations indicate they are rushing through their duties for fear of being reprimanded for causing a delay. In addition; when Flight Attendants are feeling rushed they are not able to 'hear' my briefing. The pressure the Company puts on agents to begin the boarding process on an unrealistic timeline is transferring to the crew and causing safety and security issues.The [company's suggested first five minute guide] is physically impossible many mornings. I challenge you to start at the top of the jetway; walk to the aircraft; do introductions; get a realistic accurate look at the weather; stow bags; accomplish internal security inspections; sign the security checklist; have the Flight Attendants sign the security checklist; and brief them on the weather and the day. The Agent should now verify the security checklist is complete and then walk to the top of the jetway and start the boarding process. In a perfect world; sitting behind a desk; this may seem reasonable (I say not; but for argument's sake; let's assume it is) to move on. In the real world; there are additional discussions/distractions that occur; Provisioning; Maintenance; deice; Dispatch; fueling; MEL items/review. With these additional real world distractions for Flight Attendants and Pilots; the boarding process has already begun before they are ready for boarding and before I can properly brief them. Many times boarding has begun without the Flightdeck Crew knowing.Managing distractions; risks; etc. is of paramount importance to Safety and is an accepted duty of our profession. However; the decision making as to whether the Crew is adequately prepared does not reside with the c\crew. It resides in an artificial; unrealistic timeline based on Company policy and enforced by heavy handed tactics. Technically; the Agent is supposed to verify with the Flight Attendants they are ready to board (many times that does not happen). When it does happen; Agents are pressuring them to board when they may not be ready. Flight Attendants then reluctantly agree out fear of a 'phone call' for delaying a flight. Discussions with Agents show they are rushing/pushing the boarding process for the same reason. Safety and security is being seconded to the ontime/early push every day.In the past; Employees were able to work together and tasked with making appropriate and safe decisions without fear of reprimand. That is not longer the case. A solution: the responsibility for determining all preboard safety; security; and policy requirements have been accomplished should reside with Captain. This is the ONLY person on the aircraft that has the unquestioned authority to determine the readiness of the entire Crew and completion of all preboard requirements with an unbiased view. Flight Crews are responsible for making sure the aircraft is secure; safe; and ready for Passengers. The Captain is ultimately responsible for the Safety and security of Passengers and Crew. This responsibility begins upon arrival to the aircraft.




Synopsis: A B737 Captain assessed what he believes to be excessive pressure on operational personnel to achieve on-time departures; often at the expense of required aircraft security and crew coordination duties.