B757 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 149; Flight Crew Type 1460
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Weather
Taxiing into alleyway during heavy rain/thunderstorms. [We] had just made turn to parallel terminal; when a fast-moving catering truck appeared less than 20 feet in front of the plane; traveling west on 'road' running between [two gates]. Slammed on brakes; and stopped feet from hitting him. I only saw him when my taxi light lit the truck; and then he was mostly hidden behind the windshield wiper. Several passengers made it a point to come up after we parked to tell me they saw him; and thank us for not hitting him. My impression; judging from his speed; was that he was trying to beat us; not that he didn't see a lit up 757 going no more than 10 knots. Fortunately the flight attendants were still seated; or there would have been injuries.
B757 Captain reported that a catering truck drove directly in front of aircraft during taxi which caused the flight crew to stop the aircraft abruptly.