B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 231; Flight Crew Type 10000
Situational Awareness
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Vehicle
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
Turning in to gate; a ground operations vehicle crossed directly in front of our aircraft. The vehicle was moving at a high rate of speed from the aircraft right toward aircraft left; through the safety zone (directly across the J-line). To avoid a collision; I aggressively applied maximum wheel brakes; bringing the aircraft to a violent stop. After the vehicle had cleared the safety zone; we taxied in to the gate normally.I addressed what had happened with a Ramp Supervisor and other station personnel shortly afterwards. They stated that they would be able to review the security camera footage of the event.The drivers on the ramp need to be aware of what is going on around them and avoid driving directly in front of large; moving aircraft with spinning jet engines.
B737 Captain reported executing an abrupt stop when a ground operations vehicle crossed directly in front of his aircraft near the gate area.