Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200; Flight Crew Total 6706; Flight Crew Type 2706
Workload; Time Pressure; Confusion; Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy; Staffing; Procedure; Incorrect / Not Installed / Unavailable Part
Advised via ACARS of potential tail tip condition on arrival in DEN. Advised flight attendants of possible delay of jet bridge for offloading paxs and we would leave the seatbelt sign on until safe to deplane. On parking at [the] gate; First Officer saw the tail stand off the right side of the aircraft. Jet bridge approached as soon as ground power was established and engines shut down. It seemed too quick for my comfort; so I kept the seat belt sign on; and went to talk to the gate agent. Gate agent was unaware of tail tip situation; so I went outside and down the jet bridge to visually confirm the tail stand. I did not see it in place yet; so spoke with ramp person. He said they were moving it in place at that time. When it was in place I went back to flight deck and turned off seat belt sign. Maybe ramp procedures allow the jet bridge to come up to the aircraft as the stand is being positioned. I was cautious wanting to make sure it was in place; as the procedures have changed a few times recently.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
A Boeing 737 flight crew reported that a tail stand; used to protect against a tail-tip situation; was not installed by the ground crew in a timely fashion.