Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Distraction; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
Landed 14R and exited T6; Ground Control then gave taxi instructions; right on Tango-A10-Bravo. After we completed 'the after landing and taxi checklist' we were approaching The T9 high speed at approximately 15 knots ground speed. Just before entering the intersection of Tango and T9 I observed my First Officer taking a double look out his window. Observing that I started to slow the aircraft. To our amazement a RJ exited T9 and continued across the intersection at a high speed onto A9 and then a right turn onto Bravo. By the time I was able to stop the aircraft the RJ crossed in front of us approximately 30 feet in front of our nose. By the time the RJ's tail was past us Ground Control instructed us to 'give way to the RJ and proceed to A10'. The RJ was already on Taxiway Bravo contacted Ground and proceeded to their gate. I was stunned to say the least. Had it not been for my First Officer's situational awareness and mine I'm not sure we would have been able to stop in time without emergency braking and endangering our cabin crew and/passengers. As we continued with our taxi instructions I asked the Ground Controller what the RJ's flight number was. After she responded with their flight number the RJ's response was 'that's what you get for taxing so slow.' Let's forget for a moment the complete lack of professionalism from the RJ. First of all I think 15 knots of taxi speed is quite appropriate and safe at night crossing high speed intersections. Secondly; I personally do not taxi an aircraft on taxiways without a clearance. Thirdly; I'm not really sure why a small RJ needs approximately 8500 feet of runway to exit safely especially with out a request to roll out to T9 or a clearance to do so. Had it been a wet taxiway or a contaminated surface it would have increased the chances for an incursion. There is no 'hot spot' for Tango and T9 but in my mind what the RJ did created one. I contacted the Tower after reaching gate and spoke with a Controller and explained my concerns. He agreed and then passed me over to his Supervisor. He agreed as well with my concerns and offered to pass it along to the carrier's Chief Pilot. Let me be perfectly clear; I am not asking for any discipline against either pilot on the RJ. I simply want them to understand what took place and be aware of a potential for a runway or taxiway incursion. Operating in that matter has the potential of a negative outcome for both aircraft. The unprofessional comment had no place on the radio. I suggest contacting the Captain and First officer of RJ and explain the danger in the way they operated the aircraft exiting a runway with another aircraft approaching the intersection.
An air carrier exited ORD Runway 14R at Taxiway T6 and approaching T9 on Tango nearly collided with an RJ which exited A9 at a high speed and forced the aircraft on Tango to stop; thus avoiding a collision.