Originally Posted by bdemaria

On more than one occasion at FCO, I've had to get off the plane when it has been parked away from the terminal and take a shuttle. There are a ltd # of gates and if the AA flight arrives early OR the departing plane at the gate is delayed, then indeed they may have pax deplane quite a distance from the actual terminal via stairs and take buses to passport control.

It doesn't happen regularly, but it does happen.