Air carrier flight crew reported a critical ground conflict with an aircraft while taxiing on the uncontrolled ramp at BNA.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported a critical ground conflict with an aircraft while taxiing on the uncontrolled ramp at BNA.
Narrative
There's a real safety concern at BNA on the ramp with other aircraft blocking or being pushed off a taxi line. BNA Ground has no common sense and safety concern for aircraft on the uncontrolled ramp. On taxi out from Gate XXX; we made a radio call on ramp frequency that we were pushing back from the gate. We made a taxi call as well on ramp frequency. We saw Aircraft Y blocking the ramp; but couldn't see how much because it was still dark. We asked Ground if we could taxi to spot XX instead of spot XY to exit the ramp area. The Ground Controller said 'No'. So we got in line but queried them on ramp frequency. Aircraft Y had an engine issue and said they would be there for at least 15 more minutes. We asked if they thought we had enough room to taxi around them on their left. They said 'maybe'. There were overnight aircraft to the left of them. Aircraft Z was five feet off the exit taxi line. We made it but only by about five-foot wingtip clearance on both sides. The Ground Controller was informed of the near-miss and said it wasn't his concern. I said in the interest of safety they need to temporarily take aircraft out spot XY. There were no aircraft landing at that time in the morning; so it shouldn't have been an argument. He was rude and said 'no'. It's not his problem. This whole debacle could have been avoided if Ground would do their job in the interest of safety. The Ground Controller used zero common sense and had no regard for the safety of aircraft. BNA one way ramp flow leads to Safety issue.
Second reporter narrative
Aircraft Y held off Gate XXX while doing a maintenance write up. Due to uncontrolled ramp we had to contact Aircraft Y pilots on ramp frequency to get this information. They expected a 10-15 minute hold. We were unable to get to Spot XX and contact Ground there. Ground would not allow us to exit the ramp to avoid Aircraft Y on [Taxi Lane] Y over Spot XY; due to local procedures. We barely had enough room to taxi around the Aircraft Y on their left. The overnight on the south ramp made movement to the left of [Taxi Lane] Z very tight; estimate 10-15 feet on either side given the concrete block grooves. The Ground Controller was informed of the unnecessary risk; but said it was out of his control. In this case blind obedience to a local procedure put us in a compromised position.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.