B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 169; Flight Crew Type 169
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Airport; Human Factors
We landed [Runway] XXR in ZZZ. Tower instructed us to cross [Runway] 18L on E and contact Ground on [frequency]. Captain continued taxi on E while First Officer attempted contact on [frequency]. There was momentary radio congestion before contact was established. Ground control stated 'Company XXXX; pass behind (other carrier) aircraft and continue taxi on E. At this time we were approaching C on E and (other carrier) aircraft was westbound on F and approaching a right turn onto C. ATC rightly observed that if we continued we would be unable to give way to (other carrier) aircraft and directed us to stop. Both (other carrier) aircraft and us stopped and then ATC directed (other carrier) aircraft to turn north on C as planned and we continued on E after he passed; without further incident.
After landing in ZZZ on Runway XXR we were cleared to cross Runway XXL on Taxiway E. After crossing; there was a lot of communication on Ground frequency so we were delayed in checking in with Ground. From past experience I was confident we would get clearance to continue taxi on E to the east side of the field. I saw a (other carrier) aircraft taxiing towards us westbound on Taxiway F so I did not expect a conflict. Then; just as Ground responded to us; I saw (other carrier) aircraft turn into us on Taxiway C as we also approached Taxiway C. Ground instructions to us were to pass behind (other carrier) aircraft then proceed on Taxiway E. He then commanded 'STOP' as (other carrier) aircraft turned into us. We had safe distance from each other; but I would say minimal distance. We determined at that point in a three-way radio conversation that (other carrier) aircraft could taxi across E on C as Ground had planned. Still; this actually did startle me and we came to an abrupt stop at the 'STOP' command; and this came close to being an aircraft to aircraft strike on the Ground. I needed to stop my aircraft before the first intersection on Taxiway E until we received taxi instruction from Ground Control. My expectation bias got the best of me as I marched on down the taxiway without actual clearance after crossing the runway.
B737 flight crew reported a taxiway incursion resulting in a ground conflict.