Medium Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Distraction; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Vehicle
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure; Human Factors; Company Policy; Airport
On taxi-in to gate; just entering the ramp a NY/NJ Port Authority vehicle turned the corner and drove directly in front of the aircraft without regard to the aircraft as we were taxiing in. To us it appeared that the driver looked at us and continued to drive directly in front of our path so that he did not have to wait on us to pass. I had to hit brakes quick and bring the aircraft to a jarring halt.  Had the flight attendants been up doing the safety demo; they would have been knocked down by the force of the braking.I suggest: 1. Revoke the AOA driving privileges of the driver of the vehicle for violating safety rules. 2. Require all NY/NJ Port Authority personnel with driving privileges to undergo recurrent training reiterating safety rules and right of way rules for aircraft over ground vehicles.
The Port Authority seemingly can do whatever they want driving around the airport; I just think if they slow down and look both ways for traffic all of this can be avoided.
An air carrier taxiing to the gate at LGA; took evasive action to avoid colliding with a Port Authority SUV which apparently; knowingly taxied directly in front of their aircraft.