A320
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 180; Flight Crew Total 12500; Flight Crew Type 11500
Situational Awareness
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Vehicle
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Airport; Procedure
After landing on Runway 28C; ATC ground controller instructed us to hold short of taxiway D on EE; then follow an aircraft under tow on taxiway Alpha-18; then Alpha to the ramp.  As the aircraft cleared in front of us; the Captain started rolling and then we received a revised clearance from ground controller to continue holding on EE for an RJ approaching from our left on D; then follow aircraft under tow to the ramp. Captain stopped our aircraft on taxiway EE; well short of taxiway D but with the aircraft nose blocking one lane of the ground vehicle service road.  Ground service vehicles to our left and right had stopped at this time; so we assumed that they would not move until we completely cleared the service road.  As the RJ cleared the intersection of EE on D; captain released the brakes; and just as we started rolling; the first officer saw a truck approaching and immediately alerted the captain to stop the aircraft.  The captain immediately stopped the aircraft; and we both watched in amazement as a truck passed on the open service road lane; from our right to left.  As he passed; I would estimate that the left side roof of the truck passed within 3 feet of the nose cone of our aircraft.  This was the closest that I have ever come to a metal bending ground incident.
After landing Chicago O'Hare 28C and clear of 28R were given taxi N; EE; hold short D to follow an aircraft under tow via A18; A to ramp. Ground then instructed to give way to an RJ approaching left to right on B which caused me to stop partially on service road. All service vehicles were stopped at that time. We were cleared to continue to follow the aircraft under tow upon which we began rolling but to our amazement a truck began passing right to left in front of our aircraft. The First Officer recognized and called stop. I promptly stopped the aircraft and the truck made no effort to stop or swerve missing the plane by less than 10 feet. This was too close for comfort! The taxi light remained on throughout the taxi.
An A320 flight crew describes a near collision with a catering truck at ORD after holding short of a service road for two aircraft to pass. The catering truck began to cross the taxiway and did not stop; at the same moment the Captain begin to taxi. A quick stop by the Captain was required.