Two pilots involved in a ground conflict during taxi provide their perspectives of the incident.
Synopsis
Two pilots involved in a ground conflict during taxi provide their perspectives of the incident.
Narrative
While taxiing in after landing on Runway 18R in CLT; and having contacted Ramp Control and been cleared to the gate; we were making the right turn from Taxiway E to enter the ramp at E14 in CLT. Unknown to us; from our right rear a Regional Jet was entering the ramp from Taxiway F at a high rate of speed and without a clearance or even contacting Ramp Control. We never saw him until the last second; but were able to stop in time to avoid a collision. The Regional Jet never even slowed. This was about as close as I have come to having an accident in 27 years of flying. I cannot imagine the Regional Jet crew having such a total disregard for safety in a congested ramp area; let alone not knowing to contact Ramp Control. I hope their arrival procedures include familiarization with the airport of intended landing prior to blasting on the ramp without a clearance and nearly causing an accident. I also think the Ramp Controller could have possibly warned us that the Regional Jet was coming; but he was taxiing so fast and Taxiway F is so short that he may not have had time.Commuter airlines need to operate and be held to the same level of competency as the majors. While on furlough here; I served as a Check Airman at a commuter airline and I know this is not always the case.
Second reporter narrative
After landing in CLT Runway 23 we exited at Taxiway F northbound and Ground Control gave us this clearance: 'Taxi F all the way to your gate.' That is what we did. Once on the ramp we were about to contact Ramp frequency when we heard from them that we had cut in front of an aircraft on E14 going eastbound. We saw the aircraft at E14; but he was further than us from the intersection and as we had the clearance to taxi all the way to our gate we proceeded first to the ramp area. The separation was adequate and at no time the other aircraft had to use his brakes as we were gone from the intersection well before he entered it. After clearing up the fact with Ramp we were told to proceed to our gate.We complied with the clearance we received; but apparently the Ground Controller was expecting us to taxi northbound on F then stop short of the ramp; then call Ramp and be cleared from them to taxi to the gate. If that is the case his clearance was ambiguous and I think he should have said; 'Taxi northbound on F; hold short of E14; contact Ramp.' Instead we perceived that we were cleared to precede 'ALL THE WAY TO OUR GATE' which is apparently not what he meant. [Suggest] better ATC clearance. It is usually acceptable to enter the ramp area; stop; then get a clearance to continue to the gate. I'm not sure why the problem was raised.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.