B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 132; Flight Crew Total 1042; Flight Crew Type 1042
Situational Awareness; Distraction; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Airport; Human Factors; Procedure
Taxiing out; we were cleared to taxi by Ground Control. I noticed some debris blowing left to right after a B767 took off. I caught a slight motion from the left; and a E145 came barreling across the runway at an intersecting taxiway. I would describe this as a night-time blossoming effect of near collision; but on the ground (a first for me). I was able to smoothly but firmly brake to miss them and keep them from hitting us. They did not slow down at all; and I am unsure they even saw us. We then heard their crew contact Ground; 'clearing ...'; and they were given instructions to taxi to their gate. Unfortunately with the focus on preventing an accident; neither of us caught the call-sign.With us stopped; trying to figure out what just happened; my First Officer queried the Controller that 'we were just cut off by that RJ'. The Controller did not offer any explanation; and simply instructed us to continue to taxi to the runway.Our assessment was that someone missed the coordination between Tower and Ground Control to inform us to give way. I estimate the RJ was crossing approximately 30 to 40 kts. groundspeed and accelerating. We were single engine; so unsure of our speed. Continuing the taxi; I asked the First Officer to contact the purser to check on their condition. Fortunately; they were already in their jumpseats; with three of the four already strapped in and the fourth sitting. The purser informed him that it was a smooth albeit sudden stop; and all passengers were safely in their seats.
On taxi out we both noticed some debris blowing left to right possibly from departure wake from a B767. Captain slowed the taxi as we took a closer look at the debris which appeared to be grass clippings of some sort. After looking forward and then right; I felt the aircraft come to a sudden stop at which point I noticed a EMB-145 pass in front of us left to right at a high rate of speed. After digesting this for a few seconds I told Ground that we got cut off and then he gave instructions to the EMB145 to taxi to the gate and then told us to continue to the runway. There was no further response by the Ground Controller in reference to us being cut off. We were never told to give way to anyone at the taxiway.The Captain was able to see the taxi light of the EMB145 through his peripheral vision and took proper corrective action to avoid a potential collision. There appeared to be a disconnect in communications between Tower and Ground Control. The Captain had me call back to the flight attendants and ensure everyone was ok. Fortunately all the flight attendants were in their jump seats.
A Flight Crew reported they had to make a sudden stop to avoid conflicting taxiing aircraft.