Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Type 509
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Airport
The compromised pavement; rather the transition from asphalt to concrete; at Gate in EWR poses significant threat. There is approximately 1 to 1 ½ inch of a lip between the asphalt and the concrete. When parking at this gate; which is rather tight to begin with as you are turning into the corner and maneuvering in reference to the baggage transfer belt/shed; this pavement difference is incredibly difficult to crest. It honestly seems to have gotten worse after the summer heat and the asphalt sinking deeper. The 10-7 parking gate information does mention that this gate is slightly uphill. While that is true; this pavement 'lip' creates an additional challenge. Given the tight maneuvering in that area; carrying excessive speed is not necessarily beneficial since it is somewhat tight on the wing and several ground vehicles are maneuvering around that baggage area. With both engines running and on the J-line; we were unable to get onto the concrete portion of the pavement. With [two other gates] right behind us; careful consideration was heeded relative to max thrust for breakaway maneuvering. Even at limits; a full aircraft would not make it onto the concrete. Ultimately; we had to get towed in the remaining distance. The ramp agent driving the tug mentioned that this is quite common for aircraft to have trouble parking at this gate.
Air carrier Captain reported the transition from the asphalt taxiway to the concrete gate at one of the companies Jetbridge pads at EWR has a very large lip to overcome.