Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Total 9859; Flight Crew Type 1924
Communication Breakdown
Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure; Human Factors; Airport
While taxiing into [the] gate at EWR the marshaller tried to taxi me into a field riddled with obstructions. I had to stop the aircraft 3 times to make them move luggage carts; belt loaders and other vehicles obstructing my path. Finally; after I set the parking brake I noticed the marshaller was wearing a set of ear pods while taxiing me into the gate. These individuals are not adhering to SOPs and it's only a matter of time before we have an unnecessary collision with ground equipment.
Air carrier Captain reported the marshaller not adhering to SOP; wearing ear pods; tried to marshal into a gate riddled with obstructions.