What should be confirmed before signaling the boarding bridge operator?

Before signaling the boarding bridge operator, confirming that the cargo doors are closed is crucial for several reasons. If the cargo doors are not properly secured, there can be safety hazards both during the boarding process and once the aircraft is ready to taxi. An open or improperly latched cargo door can lead to potential accidents, such as items falling out or the risk of injury to ground personnel.

Additionally, ensuring the cargo doors are closed is also a regulatory requirement. Regulatory bodies and airline policies mandate that all doors on an aircraft, including cargo doors, be secured before passengers board. This step helps ensure that the aircraft is in a safe and secure state, contributing to overall operational safety and efficiency.

In contrast, while the retrieval of all bags, disconnection of the GPU (Ground Power Unit), and the check-in status of the flight crew are all important aspects of ramp operations, they are not as directly linked to the immediate safety and security pertaining to boarding. Each of these tasks plays a role in the overall process, but ensuring that cargo doors are closed holds a higher priority before allowing boarding to commence.