Date: 201909
Local time of day: 0001-0600
Location: IAH.Airport, TX
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: A320
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); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Human factors: Communication Breakdown
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Pre-flight; Aircraft In Service At Gate
Result: General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Contributing factors: Weather; Procedure; Company Policy
Primary problem: Company Policy

Narrative: Pre-flight planning: An hour and a half prior to flight; the flight plan was reviewed and signed off with Dispatch. TAF was calling for insignificant weather in ZZZ but some contingency fuel was added for ground delays out of IAH or deviations due to ride along routing.30 minutes prior to push I reviewed the weather again. ZZZ had significantly changed and rain and wind had become a factor. ZZZ is also under construction and traffic congestion is unpredictable on approach. Holding is given on a clear day due to congestion on the ground in ZZZ. Weather conditions would definitely add to congestion and possible holding. Dispatch was called; consulted and a decision was made to add 1;000 lbs to gate fuel. Weather; construction; and wind were threats in ZZZ contributing to the decision to add fuel. Dispatch mentioned that a call would be placed to IAH to add fuel.I called operations; 25 minutes prior to push back; and informed them of the add fuel and the new FOB requirement. Operations then asked 'WHY DID YOU ADD FUEL!?' Person in operations was obviously irritated; spoke loudly and had an unprofessional accusatory tone. I explained to operations: 'if you would like to discuss the add fuel please come down to the airplane.' Operations replied; ' WHY DID YOU ADD IT!?' I then advocated that operations could also contact Dispatch to determine why fuel was added and discuss the decision and all of its factors with the Dispatcher.Once airborne I sent a delay code that informed the company of the reason for delay in IAH: Flight crew addition of fuel for weather and construction concerns in ZZZ. On approach we were given holding while ZZZ swapped runways due to LLWAS.For dispatch of flights from IAH perhaps a representative from operations should be on a conference call between the Captain and the Dispatcher for release of the flight. This would better inform operations in IAH of the many threats; weather conditions; fuel considerations; safety considerations; FARs; SOPs and best practices discussed by the Captain and Dispatch to safely; comfortably; dependably and efficiently conduct a flight out of IAH. It would also avoid questions on the radio from operations; about a Captain's decision to add fuel prior to push for flights from IAH.Since I have landed I have noticed that notes about the operation of the flight have been added. Captain was sitting in the lobby (CSR would not check me in until 45 minutes prior to flight; I was ignored). No re-route.  We were put into holding for ZZZ.




Synopsis: A320 Captain reported requiring additional fuel resulting in being aggressively challenged by Operations for his decision.