Narrative:

I am reporting a safety concern. Upon pulling into gate in tpa (and really anywhere else); we encountered very heavy rain falling (ramp [control] in this case was closed); so ramp used the maps signal light bar. This report is not dependent on using the mobile aircraft parking system; however. This report is to highlight [that] during heavy downpour of rain the j-line is near indiscernible. I suggest the marshaller (absent the maps vehicle); first stand on the final parking spot where the nose wheel will finally rest and take his lit wands and purposefully wave vertically up and down on to where the extended j-line is located (or; make the j-line visible in times where it is under heavy water). After the pilot locates the j-line; then; and only then; I suggest the marshaller relocate himself to the staging position to further guide the aircraft to the gate; until then; without being able to easily locate the j-line (including at what angle to enter the gate area); it is next to impossible to locate the extended j-line to line up the aircraft. This is a hazard. In times of using the maps vehicle; directionality is only dependent on the maps signals; and the aircraft may already be unaligned to enter; despite perhaps receiving a left a left or right arrow from the maps vehicle to enter. This needs to be clarified and further looked at. Of course; if it is unsafe to enter the gate area; stop; set the parking brake; and radio your intentions to ramp personnel; but this is a report to highlight the lack of training which will cause undue hazards.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier Captain reported the J-line used for alignment guidance entering the ramp area is hard to see in heavy rain conditions; and the marshaling procedure should be changed to account for that.

Narrative: I am reporting a safety concern. Upon pulling into gate in TPA (and really anywhere else); we encountered very heavy rain falling (Ramp [Control] in this case was closed); so Ramp used the MAPS Signal Light Bar. This report is not dependent on using the Mobile Aircraft Parking System; however. This report is to highlight [that] during heavy downpour of rain the J-line is near indiscernible. I suggest the marshaller (absent the MAPS vehicle); first stand on the final parking spot where the nose wheel will finally rest and take his lit wands and purposefully wave vertically up and down on to where the extended J-line is located (or; make the J-line visible in times where it is under heavy water). After the pilot locates the J-line; then; and only then; I suggest the marshaller relocate himself to the staging position to further guide the aircraft to the gate; until then; without being able to easily locate the J-line (including at what angle to enter the gate area); it is next to impossible to locate the extended J-line to line up the aircraft. This is a HAZARD. In times of using the MAPS vehicle; directionality is only dependent on the MAPS signals; and the aircraft may already be unaligned to enter; despite perhaps receiving a left a left or right arrow from the MAPS vehicle to enter. This needs to be clarified and further looked at. Of course; if it is unsafe to enter the gate area; stop; set the parking brake; and radio your intentions to ramp personnel; but this is a report to highlight the lack of training which will cause undue hazards.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.