B737-900
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
Aircraft X pulled half way into [the gate] without wing walkers or a guide person in position. The ramp personal had to cautiously walk into position with the aircraft half way into the gate with engines on. This behavior could potentially be dangerous for personnel on the ground along with the potential of ground vehicles striking the aircraft.
After landing in DEN we were taxiing to the gate. FO (First Officer) and I observed two wing walkers giving us an 'okay' indication to proceed. As the nose marshaler wasn't in position; I taxied slowly as to not lose forward momentum since we were heavy; and moving up a slight incline. Had we stopped I would have to restart the number two engine to provide sufficient thrust to move the aircraft forward. The nose marshaler appeared very disinterested in getting into position and seemed to just 'drag' like he was being inconvenienced at our arrival. I mentioned this to my FO who agreed at how slowly the marshaler was moving. He finally moved into place and we parked. After shutting the #1 engine down and running the parking checklist; I left the cockpit and said goodbye to our passengers. I turned on my phone and had a message from [Operations Control] to call them. They told me the nose marshaler would probably be writing me up for taxiing without marshalers. In (over 10) years of being a Captain; I've never put my aircraft or passengers in an unsafe situation; in the air or on the ground. My FO (a military C17 pilot) said he saw the wing walkers and saw nothing unsafe in how I taxied to the gate. If I'm unsure of clearance or lack of wing walkers I stop the jet and wait until I feel the area is clear and the marshalers are in position.
Air carrier ramp employee and Captain reported the aircraft was taxied into the gate without guidance personnel in position.