Medium Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Company Policy; Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
We had just started pushing off of our gate when the marshaller had to panic stop the push. We were thrown around inside the aircraft. No injuries resulted. I asked the marshaller what had happened. He told us a baggage cart tug had made a u-turn out of the driving lane into the taxiway directly behind us. I asked him if he could see the tug ID number but he said he didn't.I have noticed an increasing number of close calls with the baggage carts and taxiing airplanes for the last few weeks in the alleyway. Several times I have had to stop to ensure safety as bag carts leave the painted driving area as they pass the cockpit. I can see the carts move out but have been unable to get the tug ID number normally. The few tug ID numbers I have managed to see; I have passed them on to Ramp Operations. However; I haven't noticed any change in the driving habits of the tug drivers afterwards.From the manner the baggage cart tug drivers are operating their vehicles. They seem to be counting on the aircrew to stop for them back in the A/B concourse alleyway.
The pilot reported that the marshaller had to panic stop the pushback because of a baggage cart tug driving directly behind the aircraft.