Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 252
Training / Qualification; Communication Breakdown; Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Vehicle
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Staffing; Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
Our flight had landed and was approaching the gate with both engines operating. I observed the Ramp Agents approaching their positions to receive the aircraft; so I reduced taxi speed in order that the aircraft could continue to roll; rather than stopping short of the Safety Zone while they got into position. As we approached the lead-in line and began our left turn; a baggage tug with carts behind it approached from our left. Given our position; movement; and the fact that we had commenced our turn toward the Gate; I had every expectation that the driver would stop. He did not; crossing directly in front of our moving aircraft.A moment later; a second tug approached from the left; which also did not stop; but passed even closer in front of our aircraft; necessitating a violent brake application to stop our aircraft in order to avoid a collision. After this vehicle was clear; we taxied into the gate and terminated the aircraft. Two Mechanics who were accepting the aircraft to reposition it witnessed what had happened; and confirmed our impressions that what had just transpired was far outside the bounds of safe practice. One specifically commented that the drivers were closer to our operating engines than Mechanics are allowed to be; with attendant hazard to both personnel and also to the risk of ingesting a bag into an engine if we had been at a high power setting.I also spoke with the Ramp Supervisor who had marshalled us in to our gate; who also concurred that both drivers acted inappropriately in not holding short of the Gate Safety Zone until we had parked. I advised him of my intention to report what had happened; and while he didn't know who the individual drivers were; he said that he would attempt to find out.The intentional; blatant; and reckless disregard for even the most rudimentary safe operating practices demonstrated by the behavior of the two drivers is deeply troubling. What happened in front of our aircraft was not only unsafe; it was gross. Violations like this are how people can get killed.
A B737 Captain reported back to back incidences of baggage cart drivers improperly speeding between his inbound jet and the ground personnel marshalling his arrival at the gate.