Air carrier flight crew reported abruptly braking to avoid a collision with another aircraft during taxi.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported abruptly braking to avoid a collision with another aircraft during taxi.
Narrative
After clearing the Runway 36L at AUS on Taxiway G; Ground Control issued us taxi instructions: 'G; C; West Ramp on C. The First Officer then went off frequency to call Operations. Just before reaching taxiway C; I looked to my left in the direction of the upcoming turn and saw a Aircraft Y; moving southbound on C at about 30-40 knots. I had to slam on my brakes in order to avoid a collision. I then made a snarky remark to the Ground Controller that a head's up about Aircraft Y jet would have been appreciated. He apologized and said something to us to indicate that he had been distracted by ramp traffic and airplanes waiting to get to gates. This could have been a catastrophic collision had I not been glancing to my left. Recommend a dedicated ramp controller that deals with ramp traffic thereby allowing the Ground Controller to monitor and control the movement area.Ground Control distracted with ramp congestion and never told us about other aircraft.Suggest a dedicated Ramp Control frequency and Controller.
Second reporter narrative
After clearing the Runway 36L at AUS on Taxiway G; Ground Control issued us taxi instructions: 'G; C; West Ramp on C. I then went off frequency to call Operations. Just before reaching Taxiway C; the Captain had to slam on the brakes in order to avoid a collision with a fast approaching traffic taxiing on Taxiway C; Aircraft Y. We pointed it out to Ground Control and he apologized. Recommend a dedicated ramp controller that deals with ramp traffic thereby allowing the Ground Controller to monitor and control the movement area.ATC ground controller overloaded with tasks.Get a ramp controller in AUS.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.