A319
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 103; Flight Crew Type 552
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure
While doing the walk around in ZZZ; the ramp crew had the new 'lift and capture' style tug hooked to the aircraft prior to the walk around. The strap attached to the nose gear creates a trip hazard as does the lifting mechanism. It also makes inspection of the nose gear area difficult at best. Ground crew was notified that this was an unsafe practice and they pointed out that they are under pressure with 30 minutes to turn the aircraft. I pointed out that this was in violation of [safety policy] with them trying to use efficiency at the expense of safety; and if they got grief from a supervisor; they should point out that hooking the tug up before the crew has done the walk around is an unsafe practice.After holding this report; I did another walk around in ZZZ1; and discovered the exact same hook up. While I appreciate the need for efficiency on the ramp; preventing flight crews from safely accomplishing their preflight duties is not a good practice.
A319 Captain reported being unable to accomplish a proper preflight inspection with the towbar-less tractor in place at the gate.