Narrative:

As we stopped the jet for tow-in to [gate] at ewr; first officer ran the tow-in checklist. We waited for the ground crew to check in on interphone. After several minutes elapsed; I noticed someone flapping their fingers of one hand at us repeatedly and rapidly. I thought we left a light on; but after looking at the overhead panel; shrugged it off as a mystery. Then I noticed the man nodded and walked out of view. I suddenly realized he was telling me to release brakes with his flapping fingers. I quickly released the parking brake 1 second before the tug pulled us forward. After our forward movement stopped; the jetway approached and then the tug pulled away. No communication or hand signals from the ground crew. I reset the parking brake; flashed my taxi light; opened my window and discussed hand signals with two ground crew and asked about the lack of a headset. They advised me that no one uses a headset in ewr for tow-ins. That comment made me write this report.1. No established communication that hand signals were being used. 2. Incorrect hand signals. 3. No confirmation from me that I had complied. 4. No communication at all after tow-in. 5. It was at night without a headset; which I believe to be incorrect. 6. Nothing in the 10-7 pages about irregular procedures. 7. Although I see that the fom does allow for one handed signals to set and release the brakes (if done properly); I've not seen anyone use only one hand in 34 years of flying.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier flight crew reported poor communications with ground crew while being towed into the gate.

Narrative: As we stopped the jet for tow-in to [gate] at EWR; First Officer ran the Tow-In Checklist. We waited for the ground crew to check in on interphone. After several minutes elapsed; I noticed someone flapping their fingers of one hand at us repeatedly and rapidly. I thought we left a light on; but after looking at the overhead panel; shrugged it off as a mystery. Then I noticed the man nodded and walked out of view. I suddenly realized he was telling me to release brakes with his flapping fingers. I quickly released the parking brake 1 second before the tug pulled us forward. After our forward movement stopped; the jetway approached and then the tug pulled away. No communication or hand signals from the ground crew. I reset the parking brake; flashed my taxi light; opened my window and discussed hand signals with two ground crew and asked about the lack of a headset. They advised me that no one uses a headset in EWR for tow-ins. That comment made me write this report.1. No established communication that hand signals were being used. 2. Incorrect hand signals. 3. No confirmation from me that I had complied. 4. No communication at all after tow-in. 5. It was at night without a headset; which I believe to be incorrect. 6. Nothing in the 10-7 pages about irregular procedures. 7. Although I see that the FOM does allow for one handed signals to set and release the brakes (if done properly); I've not seen anyone use only one hand in 34 years of flying.

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.