Date: 201512
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: ORD.Airport, IL
Flight conditions: IMC
Weather elements / visibility: Icing
Light: Dusk
Aircraft: Light Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Taxi
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: First Officer; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Communication Breakdown
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Routine Inspection
Result: General None Reported / Taken
Contributing factors: Procedure; Company Policy
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: While doing the pre-flight walk around I noticed ice attached to the leading edge of the horizontal stabilizer. But it wasn't snowing yet. I let the ground crew and the Captain know that we would have to deice. The company contacted ops to let them know we would have to deice the aircraft. That was after trying several times to contact 'Ice-man' on the assigned frequency. We configured the plane for deicing following the procedure on the 'QRH'. We read it carefully especially since it was our first time deicing this season. When we were ready to be deiced we told the deicing crew that we need fluid types I and IV and they acknowledge it. At some point the deicing crew said that we had some more ice on the fuselage and asked us if we wanted that removed as well. That situation made us feel a bit uneasy. So we told them that we needed to be fully deiced with fluid types I and IV. After a few more minutes the deicing crew told us that they were done and gave us the times. But they hadn't deiced the nose of the plane so we asked them about it. And they said that it was their mistake and they then deiced the nose. After that they left and didn't answer our calls. By then it had stopped snowing. It stopped snowing around the same time that the deicing started. Since it was an awkward situation we asked our rampers to do a tactile check and a visual inspection of the aircraft for any signs of ice. And after doing the check they said everything looked good and that the plane seemed fully deiced. We finished the flight without any problems. But after we landed while I did the post-flight check I couldn't find any traces of type IV fluid. I could see type I leftovers; but no type IV. And you can usually find some traces after the flight.We are not sure if both types were applied. And we felt that communication with 'Iceman' was difficult. We followed the written procedure but it seemed like the deicing crew sometimes had no idea of what we were talking about. That was our impression at least. We did what we deemed necessary at the time in order to make sure the plane was free of ice and snow and not to put safety at risk. If the rampers would've said that we still had ice or snow on the aircraft we would requested to be deiced again.  I understand that every year there are some issues with deicing at the beginning of the winter season. Maybe initially the deicers could be supervised a little more closely. Especially if they have new hires.




Synopsis: Air carrier flight crew experienced difficulty communicating with the ground crew during deice/anti-icing of their aircraft. The first problem was ensuring that the crew deiced the entire aircraft. Secondly; the crew was not sure if both types were applied as required and requested. After the flight the crew could find traces of Type I deicing fluid; but not Type IV anti-icing fluid.