B737-500. THE MARSHALLER REDIRECTED THE STOPPING POINT; AFTER A BELT LOADER WAS STOPPED IN FRONT OF THE ACFT. THE BELT LOADER EMPLOYEE WAS ALMOST INJURED AS A RESULT.

Narrative

WE HAD A CLOSE CALL WHILE PARKING AT GATE X; NARROWLY AVOIDING INJURY TO RAMP PERSONNEL AND POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE ACFT AND OR GND EQUIP. NO INJURY OR DAMAGE DID OCCUR; BUT I AM FILING THIS RPT TO ASSIST IN TRAINING OF ACFT RECEIPT AND DISPATCH. TAXIED INTO GATE WITH R ENG SPOOLING DOWN (START LEVER IN CUTOFF POS). MARSHALLER USED SOP TECHNIQUES TO LEAD US IN AND WE STOPPED AT THE GATE PER HIS NORMAL HAND SIGNALS. THERE WAS AN FO ON THE RAMP AWAITING THE NEXT WALKAROUND. WHILE PARKED WITH THE BRAKE SET; WAITING FOR THE JETWAY TO APCH (L ENG STILL RUNNING); THE GATE AGENT IN THE JETWAY MADE A HAND GESTURE TO ME THAT WE WERE ABOUT 3 FT SHORT OF THE DESIRED STOP POS; AND THAT SHE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO POS THE JETWAY TO THE ACFT PROPERLY. THE MARSHALLER CAME BACK INTO MY VIEW AND SIGNALED FOR US TO MOVE FURTHER FORWARD. DURING THE FORWARD MOVEMENT HE REALIZED THAT A BELT LOADER HAD ALREADY DRIVEN IN FRONT OF THE R ENG SO HE GAVE US AN ABRUPT STOP SIGNAL. (ON THE B737-500 THE BELT LOADER IS NORMALLY QUITE CLOSE TO THE ENG.) NO CONTACT OCCURRED; BUT THE FO OUTSIDE LATER TOLD ME THAT 'WE ALMOST NAILED THAT GUY ON THE BELT LOADER.'