Narrative:

On a recent arrival into ZZZ; we received an ACARS message 'potential tail tip'. We arrived at the planned gate shortly after landing and disembarked the plane normally; without any apparent attention to the risk of a tail tip. The jetway was brought to the plane in a normal fashion; the door was immediately opened; and the passengers deplaned as they normally would. Alarmed at seeing the jetway moving toward the plane in a normal manner; I called station operations to inquire how I would know when it was safe to open the door. Station operations was aware of the risk of a tail tip; but did not know how I would be informed of the safe status of the plane. After the passengers had deplaned; I walked into the concourse to speak with the customer service representative who met the plane. I asked if she was aware the plane was at risk of a tail tip - she replied she had seen the message. I asked what she was supposed to do in response to the message. She said she didn't really know; ramp personnel were supposed to handle it.I then walked out onto the ramp to talk with the ramp employee that met the airplane. I asked him if he received a message that the plane was at risk of a tail tip upon arrival. He stated that yes; he had received the message. I then asked him what they were supposed to do when they received such a message. He said when they have four people; one person places the tail stand in place immediately upon plane arrival. He pointed to the orange colored pole resting by the concourse building. I asked him why it wasn't being utilized; he stated they never have four people available to meet a plane. He then stated that because there is never a time when four people can meet the plane; they are supposed to unload the back of the plane first. I asked him if he communicates the removal of 25 bags to the customer service agent meeting the plane - he said no. So; then; do you really do anything different in this case? 'Not really' was his reply.after re-reading [the] pilot bulletin; I can assure you that none of the procedures were properly complied with other than 'notification'. All affected employees seem to receive the message about the tail tip risk; but then nothing else procedurally changes. I can assure you the airport operations action 'the station will direct the gate agent not to bring the jet bridge up to the aircraft until 25 bags are unloaded from the rear cargo bin' did not occur. No one communicated anything to me at any time leaving this captain greatly concerned about the safety of the passengers; the ramp employees; and the condition of the plane.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737-NG Captain reported noticing the proper procedure for a potential 'tail tip' was not being followed by ground personnel.

Narrative: On a recent arrival into ZZZ; we received an ACARS message 'Potential Tail Tip'. We arrived at the planned gate shortly after landing and disembarked the plane normally; without any apparent attention to the risk of a tail tip. The jetway was brought to the plane in a normal fashion; the door was immediately opened; and the passengers deplaned as they normally would. Alarmed at seeing the jetway moving toward the plane in a normal manner; I called station operations to inquire how I would know when it was safe to open the door. Station operations was aware of the risk of a tail tip; but did not know how I would be informed of the safe status of the plane. After the passengers had deplaned; I walked into the concourse to speak with the customer service representative who met the plane. I asked if she was aware the plane was at risk of a tail tip - she replied she had seen the message. I asked what she was supposed to do in response to the message. She said she didn't really know; ramp personnel were supposed to handle it.I then walked out onto the ramp to talk with the ramp employee that met the airplane. I asked him if he received a message that the plane was at risk of a tail tip upon arrival. He stated that yes; he had received the message. I then asked him what they were supposed to do when they received such a message. He said when they have four people; one person places the tail stand in place immediately upon plane arrival. He pointed to the orange colored pole resting by the concourse building. I asked him why it wasn't being utilized; he stated they never have four people available to meet a plane. He then stated that because there is never a time when four people can meet the plane; they are supposed to unload the back of the plane first. I asked him if he communicates the removal of 25 bags to the customer service agent meeting the plane - he said no. So; then; do you really do anything different in this case? 'Not really' was his reply.After re-reading [the] Pilot Bulletin; I can assure you that none of the procedures were properly complied with other than 'Notification'. All affected employees seem to receive the message about the tail tip risk; but then nothing else procedurally changes. I can assure you the Airport Operations Action 'The station will direct the gate agent not to bring the jet bridge up to the aircraft until 25 bags are unloaded from the rear cargo bin' did not occur. No one communicated anything to me at any time leaving this Captain greatly concerned about the safety of the passengers; the ramp employees; and the condition of the plane.

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.