Date: 201912
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Light: Night
Aircraft: B737-800
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
ATC / advisory: Ramp ZZZ
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Human factors: Other / Unknown
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter FOD
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Company Policy
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: I have flown in and out of ZZZ on a regular basis for over a decade. I noticed that the amount of FOD (Foreign Object Debris) on the Company Ramp; in the Safety zones; and taxiways has not improved. How does this affect the Company operations? As we taxi; we sometimes need to maneuver to avoid the FOD; shut down an engine on the way into the Safety zone to prevent the engine from ingesting the FOD; etc. It presents a real hazard to the safe operation of our jets. I have brought the issue to the attention of ZZZ Ground Control; and ZZZ Ramp Supervisor. I called the ZZZ Station Manager yesterday; but there was no answer. So far; there has been no noticeable improvement on this issue. The problem in ZZZ is not so much the fact that there is FOD on the flight line. The problem is 'ATTITUDE!' Nobody wants to pick it up. The ZZZ attitude is that FOD is somebody else's problem. The ZZZ FOD Awareness Program in very weak. There is no leadership behind it. Specifically; while we were waiting for ZZZ Maintenance to service our nose strut at ZZZ Gate XX; I noticed an abundance of FOD between the jet and the Passenger terminal. I approached the Ramp Agents and the Ramp Supervisor  politely asking if they could assist in picking up the FOD. I was shocked at the response. The Supervisor gave some good 'lip service' to the FOD program; but was signaling in her words and inaction to the Ramp Agents; that 'we will not be picking up any FOD today.' The Supervisor failed to organize the Ramp Agents; who were just standing there waiting for Maintenance to finish with the nose strut; to pick up the FOD. She gave many excuses why it would be difficult; impossible; inappropriate; etc. for her or her Ramp Agents to pick up the FOD. There were crushed cans; crushed plastic water bottles; paper; etc. Understanding that nobody was going to act; I picked up as much of the FOD as I could before we started engines. The Supervisor and Ramp Agents watched; but nobody pitched in to assist. I was very disappointed with the apathetic; dismissive; lackadaisical; patronizing; 'I don't want to make the extra effort' attitude on the part of a Company 'leader;' Ramp Supervisor. As the Maintenance Technicians were wrapping up the paperwork; I asked about the FOD Awareness Program in ZZZ. The Maintenance Technician told me that FOD is a real problem in ZZZ and that there is little effort to fix the problem. There is an 'elephant' in the room. The 'emperor has no clothes!' Leadership either does not see it or does not care.Fixing this issue will require a top down approach. If [our] CEO showed some leadership on this issue; I believe that stations will take action to improve/revamp our so-called Company FOD program (The US Navy and US Air Force have excellent models to copy). The problem is particularly bad at the larger stations. Not too long ago; my #1 engine ingested a large plastic bag as we were about to takeoff. We needed to shut down the engine; return to the gate; and have Maintenance remove the FOD and inspect the engine for damage. Many people believe that the FOD Awareness Program does not involve them. It is someone else who picks up FOD. It's not my job! In order for us to reduce the risk of FOD from being ingested in our engines; EVERYONE on the ramp (Station Managers; Ramp Supervisors; Ramp Agents; Mechanics; and Pilots) need to participate. It's real simple. If you see FOD; YOU pick it up and dispose of it. Don't leave it for the next guy. We need to be trained that way. CEO; we need your help please. Thank you!




Synopsis: B737 Captain reported FOD concerns and that ramp personnel are unwilling to help.