Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Distraction; Situational Awareness
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
After pushback and start ramp cleared us to taxi and hold short of Taxiway Golf. As we exited the concourse complex a fuel truck drove across directly in front of us; right to left; 10 to 15 yards in front of us on the ramp vehicle lane. We had to come to a very abrupt stop to avoid a collision. The truck didn't attempt to stop; or slow at all. I don't think the fuel truck even noticed our presence. Cell phone use may have been a factor -- Unconfirmed though. I alerted Ramp Control who advised they would pull the video tape.We then stopped to survey the condition of our passengers and flight attendants. Although the flight attendants were jostled about a bit all aboard reported OK and good to continue. We then completed the flight. In a post flight talk with flight attendants one reported a sore shoulder; but felt OK to continue. No medical attention was desired; requested; or provided. Ground Vehicle operators need to understand the need to pay attention to their surroundings. Emphasis needs to be on ramp/taxiway rights of way; and intolerance for any distractions. Our relatively slow taxi speed (due to single-engine) to come to a stop from and the fact that the flight attendants had completed their demo are lucky factors that prevented them from incurring injuries. I doubt the ground personnel even realize that we have people up and walking around during taxi-out.
A commercial air carrier flight crew had to brake abruptly when a fueling truck; apparently oblivious to their presence passed 10 to 15 yards in front of them.