Air Carrier Flight Crew reported communication breakdown with ATC Ground Control during taxi out for departure.
Synopsis
Air Carrier Flight Crew reported communication breakdown with ATC Ground Control during taxi out for departure.
Narrative
Upon contacting Ground while taxing from the ramp we were told to taxi Romeo (parallel for Runway XX) down to Kilo for Runway XX. No traffic advisories or hold short instructions were given. We taxied from the ramp on Tango. While approaching the intersection of Tango and Romeo we noted a twin turbine aircraft taxing south coming from our right at a good speed. We briefly called it out; discussed it and the CA (Captain) decided to stop. I called Ground to confirm our instructions and report that an aircraft was taxing on Romeo. Ground replied stating that was our clearance and mentioned that that aircraft was in a hurry. Since we would have been on direct collision course with that aircraft per the given taxi instructions; the CA asked Ground if we did anything wrong. Ground said negative and then told us to continue. We continued our taxi following this aircraft and it appeared the same thing happened further down Romeo to another aircraft. As we taxied south on Romeo; Ground told us to 'follow Aircraft Z at Kilo.' We located a single aircraft [Aircraft Z] and read back that we would follow Aircraft Z on Kilo. Before getting to Kilo and after Aircraft Z had crossed in front of us a second aircraft appeared (regional turbo prop) and crossed in front of us on Kilo. We stopped and verified that was the last traffic; we then received permission to line up and wait. There was no indication from Ground that we were to hold for 2 aircraft or both aircraft. If we didn't stop a collision could have occurred. It appeared at this instance; Ground was relying on aircrew to deconflict crossing traffic... a situation that could have led to a ground mishap. [Cause was] Complacency by Ground Control and aircraft rushing for the same runway.[Suggest] More effective control by Ground.
Second reporter narrative
While exiting the ramp via Tango; we were instructed to taxi to Runway XX via Romeo - Kilo. As we were approaching Romeo; we observed a twin prop taxiing south on Romeo with neither of us directed to hold for the other. We immediately stopped. We queried Ground to confirm we had not missed an instruction ... we had not. There was absolutely a ground collision hazard that was not deconflicted by Ground. Further on Romeo; we were instructed to 'follow Aircraft Y' onto Kilo. There were actually two aircraft that were a factor and we were not advised of such. We stopped and yielded to both. This appeared to be the Controller's intent. Had we not stopped; we very easily would have conflicted with the second flight.[Cause was] Inadequate communication.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.