Widebody Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Total 10745; Flight Crew Type 7682
Communication Breakdown; Training / Qualification
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Company Policy; Human Factors; Procedure
The marshaler twice during our approach to the gate clearly looked away from us; turning his head 90 degrees to converse with another individual in the ramp area while continuing to motion us in. The second time when we were considerably closer to the gate; I stopped the aircraft and waited for him to give us back his attention.When he noticed we were stopped; he made motions that said to me 'what are you stopping for?' Upon close arrival to the gate; the wands were also brought together signifying closeness to stopping; that is to say less than 4 inches separation; which lasted for at least 4 ft of travel.I do not fly into Newark often; but this is the second time out of perhaps 10 visits that the marshaling at the gate has been so far below standard that as an LCA (Line Check Airman) if I were conducting a check would result in a 'Fail'.It is obvious to me that something is seriously wrong with either the personnel attitude toward their safety related duties or there is an abysmal lack of training and checking at this station.
Air Carrier Check Airman reported non-standard marshalling procedures and a lack of attention by the ground crew at the gate.