Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Equipment / Tooling; Human Factors; Procedure
I have had several incidents recently when not in communication with Ground Ops Personnel that involved being blinded by the extremely bright LED lights on tugs. Once a tug was illuminated right behind the Marshaller; rendering him invisible to the Crew. On another occasion; the pushback tug had its lights on and completely obscured the J-line. A third time; after pushback for departure; the tug's lights blinded us; so that we could not see the pin or the bag or the people holding them. This seems to be a new problem with the brightness of the new lights. We are not in communication with the personnel at these times; and it is challenging to establish communications. Flashing the taxi or landing lights just leads to people scurrying around and moving baggage carts or belt loaders. Trying to call Ops on the radio and conveying the message has taken many minutes. They seem truly confused by what I am asking them to do. Ground Ops should mirror our policy. We don't blind them with our taxi lights. They should not blind us with their tug lights.
Air carrier Captain reported new ramp tractor lights are so bright that pilots are blinded to everything on the ramp.