Date: 201910
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: BWI.Airport, MD
Light: Night
Aircraft: B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
ATC / advisory: Ramp BWI
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Taxi
Result: General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Equipment / Tooling; Procedure
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: While approaching BWI Gate XX; the right Wing Walker discovered that there were no wands in the Gate XX storage caddy. He then walked over to the adjacent Gate XX storage caddy and found only one lighted wand there. He returned to the Gate XX Safety Zone with just one lighted wand (two lighted wands per Wing Walker are required). The left Wing Walker had one lighted wand and one unlit wand. The Marshaller (not noticing that his Wing Walkers did not have two lighted wands each; or not caring) continued to attempt to signal us into the Safety Zone. All three Ramp Agents seemed content with the situation; and allowed us to wait five minutes while doing NOTHING to correct the situation. It truly appeared that the Ramp Agents had NO idea that they were doing anything wrong! After three radio calls to BWI Operations requesting additional lighted wands; a BWI Ramp Supervisor finally showed up with some lighted wands. Although the FAA requires us to have two lighted wands for each wing walker and the Marshaller at night; BWI Ramp Agents commonly show up WITHOUT two lighted wands each. There is no way to provide the lighted crossed wand 'stop' signal when the Wing Walker is holding only one lighted wand. We are setting ourselves up for a mishap. If a person or vehicle moves into the Safety Zone; or the wing is about to strike an object in the Safety Zone; the Wing Walker with just one lighted wand will be unable to provide the proper 'stop' signal to the Marshaller or Pilots!We have addressed this issue dozens of times by debriefing BWI Ramp Supervisors; talking with BWI Managers of Ramp Operations; writing [company reports]; and writing [incident reports]. Nothing changes. Nobody is being held accountable for this ongoing non-compliance. BWI (and some other stations) are frequently in blatant non-compliance with the Company standard operating procedures (SOP) and safety procedures while Ramp Supervisors and MROs stand by watching the situation unfold without taking corrective action until told (by a Pilot) to do so.1. Company Vice President of Ground Operations needs to show leadership and create an environment in which there is system-wide compliance with SOP and safety procedures.2. BWI Station Manager needs to know what is going on out on the BWI ramp; show leadership; and enforce the rules.3. BWI Operations Managers need to observe ramp operations; train Ramp Supervisors; show leadership; and enforce the rules.4. BWI Ramp Supervisors need to observe ramp operations; train Ramp Agents; show leadership; ensure the proper equipment (properly working lighted wands) are in place in the caddy before sunset every night in all Safety Zones.5. BWI Marshallers need to take on a leadership role; be held responsible; and ensure that the Safety Zone is free of FOD; free of equipment; and that the Wing Walkers are in position with the proper equipment BEFORE signaling the aircraft into the Safety Zone. Otherwise; cross his wands; and take the initiative to correct the problem. Do not just complacently accept non-compliance by ignoring the bad habits of the Wing Walkers.6. Wing Walkers need to show up with two lighted wands; watch the wing tips to ensure clearance; and provide a crossed wand signal if the safety of the aircraft; crew; and passengers comes into question. If equipment fails or is not operating properly; take the initiative to replace the inoperative equipment with operating equipment so the next wing walker does not find an empty caddy or inoperative wands in the caddy. Look out for the next guy! Can we please take positive action to fix this lackadaisical climate of non-compliance with [Company] SOP and safety rules. Thank you!




Synopsis: B737 Captain reported that wing walkers were not equipped with sufficient lighted wands to park aircraft at the gate and created a safety hazard.