Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Time Pressure
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
During taxi in onto the north side of Ramp 3 in Atlanta; we were cleared to enter on the left side of the ramp (east) and taxi to the gate. As we were taxiing into the ramp I looked to the left and noticed several vehicles yielding to us. Lights were on. I called clear left and just before the First Officer was to say something; I noticed an object moving from the right in my peripheral vision. I looked up and saw a tug pulling 2 baggage carts and the operator of the vehicle texting on a cell phone and heading at a fast speed directly toward us on the north roadway. I slammed on the brakes bringing the aircraft to a stop with the nose just over the entrance. The driver just happened to look up and slammed on the brakes making a hard right turn back into the ramp. It's amazing the driver didn't flip the tug over. Driver missed hitting us by about 15 FT. Had I not stopped and/or had the driver not looked up; would have struck the nose of the aircraft and may have been seriously injured or perhaps killed. Driver then started laughing and drove on out and started texting again. I continued taxiing into the gate with no further issues. Taxi speed was normal; scans were normal; sterile cockpit and procedures adhered to. Jumpseater on the jumpseat made no comment even though I insured that he speak up if he saw anything. 'It's just the way things are here the ATL' [it] is becoming the normal acceptance of this type of behavior. This is a threat that is intimidating to crews. It speaks of futility of reporting events because of multiple issues regarding philosophies of the airport management. 1) Management needs to enforce safety policies with real consequences. 2) Law enforcement needs to patrol these areas constantly. 3) There needs to be a commitment on the behalf of baggage handlers and tug drivers to insist that safety always is the primary goal when operating in a dangerous area. I have been told by numerous tug drivers and ramp agents that management pressures them into hurrying between concourses to deliver baggage because of the costs involved. They feel threatened if they don't comply. Change these issues and maybe these types of events won't occur in the future. As it is now it appears a serious accident is imminent.
Regional jet Captain reports a near collision with a tug pulling baggage carts at the entrance to ramp three at ATL. The tug driver was reportedly texting while driving.