A320
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Person / Animal / Bird
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
After landing checked with Operations; they advised ground air and electric available. We arrived at gate with engine one running. Ground crew parked the aircraft and attempted to start ground power unit. After waiting 4 minutes; we started the APU. The ground power unit was never connected prior to the crew leaving the aircraft. After the cockpit door was opened a flight attendant stated that ground personnel were walking within 10 feet of the running number one engine. There are no engine inlet safety markings on the ramp. The company procedure does not account for the lack of these markings or proper training of ground personnel. The only other airline that does not [use] APU taxi in procedure has engine inlet safety marking at all of their gates and use only company ground crews. We violate the Airbus 19 foot inlet safety guideline in many of our locations. I recommend we suspend the 'No APU taxi in' procedure until a comprehensive review by the Safety Department is completed. No action will result in a catastrophic event.
Flight Attendant reported to the flight crew that ground personnel were walking within 10 feet of a running engine at the gate.