B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Type 3550.60
Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure; Human Factors
We touched down a few minutes ahead of schedule. We had sent an expect time for our arrival at the TOC (Top of Climb) via ACARS. While approaching the gate we had to stop short of the J line because there was no one to marshal us to the gate. After about 5 minutes the ground crew very slowly made their way into position for us to continue. After setting the brake the forward cargo door was opened. [From] that point it took 18 minutes for the jetway to be brought to the aircraft. During that time a tug and its carts was placed in a way that blocked egress from the 1R door; if needed. Since the jetway was positioned for an CRJ the 1L door was blocked as well. All of my exits forward of the wings where blocked. At NO time was there any communication with us from the station; despite our repeated attempts to reach them via the published frequency. I contacted the [Chief Pilot] who also couldn't reach the station or even the Station Manager via a cell phone number. While this is a horrible customer service experience; waiting nearly 20 minutes for the exit door to open after block in; it is [also] a terrible safety issue. If we had needed to evacuate the aircraft two of my exits where needlessly blocked.
B737 Captain reported deviations from SOP on the ramp after gate arrival led to unsafe conditions.