Air carrier crew reported a safety concern on the ramp with another aircraft during push back at a tower-controlled airport. The pilot indicated the push back for their gate was on a different frequency and not coordinated with the other aircraft resulting in the push back crew having to stop the push back to maintain separation.
Synopsis
Air carrier crew reported a safety concern on the ramp with another aircraft during push back at a tower-controlled airport. The pilot indicated the push back for their gate was on a different frequency and not coordinated with the other aircraft resulting in the push back crew having to stop the push back to maintain separation.
Narrative
Ramp instructed us to push; cleared to spot X. We pushed tail North; and started engines. As we approached spot X; I was warning the Captain (CA) that I'd had a conflict with someone pushing from the gate on a previous trip; and we hadn't been told. He looked over; and it was happening again; they were starting to push. If he hadn't stopped; we could have run into that wide body that was pushing from the gate. The First Officer (FO) pointed it out to ramp; and ramp said they didn't control that gate; it belonged to ground. On the previous flight; the same thing had happened; and Ramp said the same thing; they don't control that gate. If it hadn't been for quick action on our part both times; we could have run into the other aircraft. Lack of communication between Ground and Ramp; lack of awareness for us that an airplane would be pushing near the spot we were taxiing to. Ramp and Ground need to coordinate on all aircraft movement around the XX alley. Ramp needs to know when someone is cleared to push on gate. Ramp should not clear aircraft to spot X until that aircraft is clear; or at least should advise aircraft pushing to spot X.
Second reporter narrative
Cleared for push back from gate control LAX assigned drop point. While being pulled up to spot XX. Noticed an aircraft pushing off gate which we were not informed of. Lax ground controls that gate; We were not informed by ground or gate control or the aircraft pushing in close proximity to our aircraft. We informed our ground push crew to use caution during exercise. Push back completed without incidence. Lots potential distractions during push FO heads down starting motors CA monitoring push crew. Startled at rapid push of aircraft on gate with no warning from ramp control or ground control had to inform push crew of aircraft behind them with all there efforts monitoring focus in front of them. My concern is that without better communication potential aircraft contact or sudden break application tow bar failure injury to push crew. Better communications with ramp control and ground control.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.