EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Other / Unknown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors; Procedure
Written as the Captain during this incident. We pushed back normally at gate in ZZZ with a commuting pilot in the jumpseat; we were three minutes early. Our tug driver had an operating headset; and with normal communication; we started engine 1 during push. After completing the push; I set the parking brake and called 'parking brake set; cleared to disconnect'; the tug driver even said 'have a safe flight'; I told him to have a good day; and he disconnected. I verbalized to the First Officer that I had visual of the disconnect with the SOP callout 'tug; tow bar; and wave off'. We both waved the marshaller off. After completing the after start flow items and checklist; the First Officer called Ground for taxi. We received our expected taxi clearance; I verbalized it; glanced at the taxi diagram; and confirmed we were cleared to enter hotspot 1. I released the parking brake; verbalized 'clear left'; and the First Officer announced 'clear right'. Just as I was going to add thrust on #1 and release my toe pressure from the brakes; the First Officer stated firmly 'STOP STOP STOP!' Luckily; we hadn't yet moved. This all happened in just a few seconds. A ramper had run in front of the aircraft and under the nose; I never saw anyone due the large blind spot that exists below us. Thankfully; the First Officer saw movement in his peripheral vision and wasn't shy with me; he did a great job calling out. I immediately set the brake. I was very happy our aircraft never actually moved.Moments later; the ramper plugged in his headset under the nose; attempting to once again communicate with us. He was very hard to understand; at this point I was somewhat in shock and was trying to process what just happened.  After I slowed him down and got him to speak clearly; I understood that they wanted to put a crated dog into the forward cargo compartment. The ramper's decision making led him to run in front of our aircraft with no communication or visual warning; essentially directly in front of our nose wheel; after previously announcing everything was clear; as the best way to tell us he wanted to add a dog. Both the First Officer; ACM [Additional Crew Member]; and I sat there in shock of how egregious and unsafe this was; and how lucky we were. The First Officer took care of ATC communication while I switched to Operations to verify the weight of the dog. I then explained to her what happened and that I almost ran this guy over; including that someone needs to talk to him about how unsafe it was. The dog was loaded and we sent for new weight and balance numbers. Before disconnecting his headset; I explained to the ramper how unsafe that decision was and how he was almost run over. He apologized and disconnected. In cruise flight; our crew of three discussed how this scenario we never considered as a possible threat; happened.  You can never be too thorough or alert.
E170 Captain reported unsafe condition resulting from ramp personnel not following safety procedures.