Date: 201908
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: IAH.Airport, TX
Aircraft: Commercial Fixed Wing
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Human factors: Communication Breakdown
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
When detected: Pre-flight
Result: General None Reported / Taken
Contributing factors: Human Factors
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: FO (First Officer) introduced himself in the Flight Planning Area. He stated 'I am uncomfortable' - a red flag word according to the FOM. He was perspiring with a moist handshake. My initial reaction was that he was ill and needed support in getting off the trip. I asked him what we needed to do. He said 'I have a problem with what you did. I will be a professional FO and do my job.' The man is of substantial stature - well over 6 feet and an estimated 270 LBS. With a smile I told him that I was sorry that he felt that way and left the area. The comment was clearly made to intimidate - if not threaten - I left the room for the Chief Pilot office.I encountered the assistant CP (Chief Pilot) initially and relayed the events. He retreated to his chair. I repeated the FO's statement emphasizing the red flag word 'uncomfortable' and asked that the FO be removed from the trip. He immediately denied the request - 'I'm not going to take him off the trip for that.' Obviously he wanted no part of the situation. I stated my safety concerns and he did not respond.Departing his office I headed back to gather my belongings and remove myself from the trip when the Base Chief Pilot showed up in the hallway. I asked him if we could step in his office for the discussion - he remained in the hall. Whether this was to attract witnesses to our conversation or to dominate our interaction is not clear to me but it was disconcerting that this minor request was denied. He was responsive to the situation but seemed more concerned with controlling my interaction with him than the issue at hand. However the Base CP assured me that he would take care of it. I made the statement that if the FO remained on the trip the aircraft would leave the gate 'without a full team;' - if I notice any anomaly prior to departure that I would return to the gate. He did not respond. I assumed that meant that he would remove the FO from the trip.After returning to the FPA (Flight Planning Area) the FO received a phone call and left the area. I gave a brief recount of the events to the other 2 FOs. I've flown with both pilots 10-15 years and they are trusted and well disciplined. I felt obligated to advise them of the event. When the First Officer in question returned from his phone call and began to participate in the briefing it was apparent that he was not going to be removed from the trip. With just over an hour to departure; I decided that the situation could be managed safely with the crew at hand. We could arrange the schedule (breaks) for flying crew members to operate together at an acceptable level of safety. I was concerned with the critical phases of flight - takeoff and approach/landing. Having been an IP (Instructor Pilot); LCA (Line Check Airman) and APD (Aircrew Program Designee) on the aircraft in prior years I judged that it could be flown with an adequate margin of safely.This flight and the return were seemingly uneventful - but not ideal working conditions. During the return leg I was advised by one of the other FOs that the FO in question had stated that he had a problem with pilots that have my hire date - that he would do his job but did not have to talk to me. Obviously a safety issue. Had I known that was his intent I would not have allowed the flight to depart.




Synopsis: Air carrier Captain reported experiencing a conflict with a First Officer pre-takeoff.