Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Training / Qualification
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy; Human Factors; Procedure
The mandate for Ground Ops to utilize three Marshallers for gate departure and arrival operations should be applauded. However; I have noticed on a routine (albeit anecdotal) basis that most Guide Agents and Lead Marshallers do not raise their hands away from the bodies far enough when giving their signals. In fact; the pictures in the FOM; which show the proper signaling procedures; are not routinely followed. Most Marshallers and Guide Agents keep the wands at chest or waist level. The problem with this is the wands are the same color as the Marshallers' reflective vest. As a result; the wands and vests blend together; making it difficult (really impossible in low light or low visibility) to discern any signals being given. However; there is one exception--International Stations. Almost without fail; international station Marshallers display the signals as per our FOM and have wands that are a different color from their reflective vests. A second concern is the additional Marshallers are typically only standing by the elongated yellow cones on the edge of the safety area during arrival; with one exception; [station code]. At the latter station; the extra Marshallers are able to stop crossing traffic from entering the parking/safety zone. When standing by the aforementioned cones; traffic is not stopped. This is a much greater hazard/threat at our larger stations.
737 Captain reported a problem with marshaling techniques making parking and push backs more difficult and unsafe.