Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical
Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors
After pushing back onto taxiway C the parking bake was set. Another aircraft was pushing tail to tail with us off [another gate]. ATC advised that aircraft that they were pushing too far and to stop; to which they replied 'say again' as they continued to push. ATC then repeated 'STOP'. We had felt no unusual movement and were unaware of the situation when ATC cleared us to taxi. After beginning our taxi; a third aircraft told ATC that our tails looked very close; but could not tell whether or not there was contact. ATC was unable to make a determination from the tower either and briefed us on the situation and asked our intentions. We elected to return to the gate to have maintenance inspect the tail extremities. Using a lift maintenance inspected the entire tail section and confirmed there was no contact. I contacted dispatch then departed. I'm not sure; but the other aircraft may have been being operated by maintenance.
A321 First Officer reported a near collision with another aircraft during pushback at LAX.