EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
We started normally and requested permission to taxi from the ramp. We were granted this clearance: 'ERJ-175 taxi right side; Spot 2; and contact Ground Control.' While we were taxiing southbound to join the taxi line and proceed to Spot 2; Ramp Control advised a CRJ to 'give way to the Embraer taxiing out of the alley; he is going westbound to Spot 2.' There was no reply. The CRJ was in sight and appeared to be slowing. It was clear that there was a safe margin for us to taxi as cleared should the CRJ give way as instructed. However it did not stop. Confusion resulted as to who should give way. Eventually both we and the CRJ came to a complete stop. Before the confusion was cleared the CRJ began taxiing again and we ultimately gave way to them. We then began to taxi behind the CRJ. Following the first CRJ flight was a second carrier's CRJ who was told to follow the first. We ended up taxiing in front of this CRJ and made our way to 'Spot 2' following the prescribed route as originally cleared by the Ramp Controller. The second CRJ did not follow the taxiway lines and ended up reaching 'Spot 2' before us. It should be noted that no further clearances were issued to any of the three aircraft after the failed attempt on behalf of the controller to have the first CRJ give way to us. Our flight eventually proceeded successfully to our destination. The Ramp Controller and the pilots of all three aircraft need to be more vigilant. One mistake by a crew member on a different aircraft led to an event unexpected by all involved. Taxiing too quickly on airport surface areas by aircraft departing the express gates in CLT (Both CRJ's in the instance) occurs frequently; and should be discouraged. Better communication on behalf of the Ramp Controller would have been enough to keep the event from occurring. Better Radio monitoring by the first CRJ crew could have stopped it as well. Finally; on my behalf I intend to exercise more caution when dealing with high traffic surface areas like these from now on; and completely ensure that the area is controlled before commencing taxi.
It is important to note that CLT Ramp is an [ATC] non-movement area and is controlled by Air Carrier personnel.
Three commuter jets suffered conflicts with one another on the ramp at CLT when two CRJ's--cleared via ramp control subsequent to the reporter's ERJ-175--taxied aggressively to cut out the reporter's aircraft and gain prior access to the ramp 'spot' for receiving an ATC taxi clearance.