A319
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 123; Flight Crew Total 15309; Flight Crew Type 9362
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Speed All Types
Human Factors; Procedure
On approach to ATL Runway 26R outside of AJAAY was told cleared the Visual 26R behind Aircraft Y maintain 160 knots to AJAAY. Outside of AJAAY we noticed that the separation between Aircraft Y and our aircraft was 3 miles and decreasing. At 160 kts we were overrunning Aircraft Y in front of us. We decided to slow down as we felt this was the safest course of action! Inside of AJAAY; Tower asked why we slowed I replied over running traffic in front of us. After exiting the runway we were instructed to contact TRACON. In my conversation with xxx (TRACON) I reiterated our concern for safety and closing in on traffic. He specifically stated that Atlanta runs 2 miles separation on visuals. I was not aware of this nor have I been able to find reference of this in either the 10-1B or 10-7 pages for ATL.
Pilot reported being on a visual approach into Atlanta; slowing for separation; and then after landing being told by TRACON that they should not have slowed.