I notice whenever I'm at a stop like at a traffic light, when the A/C compressor engages, the car lunges forward if I'm not pressing the brake hard enough. Is this a common problem and is there anything that can be done to eliminate this asides from putting the car into neutral?

 

common. its the engine trying to compensate for the drag on as it engages. nothing you can do to stop it

 

Lots of cars do that, especially automatics... well, only automatics!