B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 222; Flight Crew Type 8500
Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Workload
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Airport; Procedure; Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related
Taxied north on the right lane on Ramp. Taxi speed was 5 to 10 knots. Approaching the center roadway; I kept an eye on an approaching luggage tug from the right. When he did not slow down and was about to encroach on the aircraft footprint; the FO said that I needed to stop while I; at the same time; brought the aircraft to a rather abrupt stop. The tug stopped about 20 feet in front of our right wingtip.We told Ramp Control what had happened; swung left; around the tug; and continued taxiing north on the side of the ramp. I was about to make a PA to explain to the passengers why we stopped when the A Flight Attendant called and said that the C Flight Attendant might have injured himself (whiplash). Upon further investigation it was determined that the C Flight Attendant in fact was injured and wanted to be taken off the flight. We then returned to the gate; subsequently called EMS personnel to have the flight attendant evaluated and he was taken off my flight.I kept the passengers informed and walked the cabin twice. No passengers mentioned anything about the braking. Conversations were all about connecting flights or cabin temperature. A replacement flight attendant was found and the flight left again for destination. Just before departure I was informed that the B Flight Attendant also felt some strain in her back; but was good to go to city. I checked on her during the flight and she mentioned some minor muscle pain.Do not have ground vehicles cross active ramp areas where aircraft taxi.
A B737 Captain took evasive action with an aggressive stop to avoid a baggage tug on an ATL ramp when the tug driver failed to give way. After returning to the gate one flight attendant removed from the flight with a suspected whiplash injury.