Narrative:

I am writing this report to identify possible threats to ground operations across the entire system. As the route structure of company continues to grow; many of our pilots go long periods of time without seeing certain airports. To compensate; we rely heavily on briefings and [airport briefing pages]. However; a lack of familiarity still leaves us at a huge disadvantage. For safer ground operations; we need better [airport briefing pages].a recent trip to ZZZ highlights my concern. It was nighttime with wet surface conditions. I had been to ZZZ only once in the past year. We briefed thoroughly; however; I still found it extremely difficult to find my way around the airport. The glossy conditions; lack of centerline lighting; and taxiway/runway complexity added risk. When taxiing out to runway xx for departure; we were cleared to taxi from our gates north on K; cross [runway] xy; and into the block. Thinking I was taxiing inside the hold-block bordering taxiway J; I almost committed a runway incursion. K does not exist north of taxiway south;and it appears that the hold-block butts directly into the runway hold short line; not taxiway J. Additionally; I believe the shape of the jeppesen 10-9 page may be misleading. Most importantly; there are no drawings of taxi lines; hold short lines; or hold block lines on the 10-9; 10-9B; or the [airport briefing pages]. . We need charted sim depictions of taxi lines; hold short lines; or holding block lines at the end of the runways. The taxi from our gates to runway xz is equally confusing. Wet conditions; glare; poor markings all contribute to a confusing field of lights at a very critical location. Being cleared out of gate via p-c-cross 22-into the hold block is disorienting. Once again; better charting is needed. I humbly recommend that company add better depictions of these two areas; most notably adding taxi lines. If we; as pilots; can find a depicted line; we will know what to expect. One last point; the [airport briefing pages] are useful; but lacking. A consistent problem for us nighttime flyers is finding the j-line when entering a safety zone. At night; particularly in wet conditions; the j-line can be hidden. Pilots are expected to eliminate tail drift by lining up correctly; yet nowhere is the angle of the j-line depicted. Furthermore; the ramp agent is instructed to marshal us from a standing position not aligned with the line. In snow or rain; it is sometimes impossible to find the line; and even with good marshaling (a rarity); the task is difficult. An excellent example is ZZZ1. The j-line off taxiway D is nothing short of a 130 degree turn; yet nowhere is this depicted. To complicate matters; it's an incredibly congested ramp space with equipment butting up to the entire zone line. It needs to be depicted on the [airport briefing page]. Experience has taught me to utilize taxiway east to access gate in wet conditions. As a whole; pilots need accurately depicted j-lines on all [airport briefing pages].

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 pilot reported the company needs better airport depictions for crew members that do not frequent different airports regularly.

Narrative: I am writing this report to identify possible threats to ground operations across the entire system. As the route structure of Company continues to grow; many of our pilots go long periods of time without seeing certain airports. To compensate; we rely heavily on briefings and [Airport briefing pages]. However; a lack of familiarity still leaves us at a huge disadvantage. For safer ground operations; we need better [Airport briefing pages].A recent trip to ZZZ highlights my concern. It was nighttime with wet surface conditions. I had been to ZZZ only once in the past year. We briefed thoroughly; however; I still found it extremely difficult to find my way around the airport. The glossy conditions; lack of centerline lighting; and taxiway/runway complexity added risk. When taxiing out to Runway XX for departure; we were cleared to taxi from our gates north on K; cross [Runway] XY; and into the block. Thinking I was taxiing inside the hold-block bordering Taxiway J; I almost committed a runway incursion. K does not exist north of taxiway S;and it appears that the hold-block butts directly into the runway hold short line; not taxiway J. Additionally; I believe the shape of the Jeppesen 10-9 page may be misleading. Most importantly; there are no drawings of TAXI LINES; HOLD SHORT LINES; or HOLD BLOCK LINES on the 10-9; 10-9B; or the [Airport briefing pages]. . WE NEED CHARTED SIM DEPICTIONS OF TAXI LINES; HOLD SHORT LINES; or HOLDING BLOCK LINES at the end of the runways. The taxi from our gates to Runway XZ is equally confusing. Wet conditions; glare; poor markings all contribute to a confusing field of lights at a very critical location. Being cleared out of gate via P-C-cross 22-into the hold block is disorienting. Once again; better charting is needed. I humbly recommend that Company add better depictions of these two areas; most notably adding TAXI LINES. If we; as pilots; can find a depicted line; we will know what to expect. One last point; the [Airport briefing pages] are useful; but lacking. A consistent problem for us nighttime flyers is finding the J-line when entering a safety zone. At night; particularly in wet conditions; the J-line can be hidden. Pilots are expected to eliminate tail drift by lining up correctly; yet nowhere is the angle of the J-line depicted. Furthermore; the ramp agent is instructed to marshal us from a standing position not aligned with the line. In snow or rain; it is sometimes impossible to find the line; and even with good marshaling (a rarity); the task is difficult. An excellent example is ZZZ1. The J-line off taxiway D is nothing short of a 130 degree turn; yet nowhere is this depicted. To complicate matters; it's an incredibly congested ramp space with equipment butting up to the entire zone line. It NEEDS to be depicted on the [Airport briefing page]. Experience has taught me to utilize Taxiway E to access gate in wet conditions. As a whole; pilots need accurately depicted J-lines on ALL [Airport briefing pages].

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.