Narrative:

We were holding short of 31R at Y; waiting for our gate; to open. All aircraft were instructed to be on a backup ground control frequency due to issues with 121.65. Runway 22L operations were in effect. Our gate opened. Prior to our subsequent taxi clearance; we had observed three aircraft from higher odd numbered gates push back simultaneously. We wondered if ground was going to clear us and taxi behind them. Ground did not; and they cleared us to taxi across 31R on Y and on to our gate.no other instructions were given to us. Our taxi on Y toward the gate was uneventful until we were approaching the left; aft side; wing (with ample room to taxi by) of the third pushed aircraft which was located parallel to Y. Both first officer (first officer) and I saw the aircraft's taxi light illuminate and aircraft immediately turn toward Y. I was stopping our aircraft; and then first officer said 'stop' on radio. Ground asked who said stop; and first officer identified us.after some silence with both of us stopped; and with adequate distance between us; ground issued instructions for other aircraft to taxi to 22L. After aircraft was clear of us; we continued to gate. Prior to encounter; ground did not issue yield instructions to either one of us. Maintain continued vigilance. Never assume ATC always has watchful eye on you. This was a breakdown of ground control's communication/ situational awareness. The fact that there were many outbound and inbound aircraft at this particular time of the evening may have contributed to it. I was also surprised that company aircraft did not appear to see us (I do not assume that we are seen anyway). Always check and recheck area around you when getting ready to taxi and while taxiing. And finally; although we were following taxi instructions; we might have taken it a step further by querying ground control if outbound aircraft was going to yield to us.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 Captain experiences a near collision during taxi into the gate with another B737 taxiing out. ATC had not told either pilot to give way.

Narrative: We were holding short of 31R at Y; waiting for our gate; to open. All aircraft were instructed to be on a backup Ground Control frequency due to issues with 121.65. Runway 22L operations were in effect. Our gate opened. Prior to our subsequent taxi clearance; we had observed three aircraft from higher odd numbered gates push back simultaneously. We wondered if Ground was going to clear us and taxi behind them. Ground did not; and they cleared us to taxi across 31R on Y and on to our Gate.No other instructions were given to us. Our taxi on Y toward the Gate was uneventful until we were approaching the left; aft side; wing (with ample room to taxi by) of the third pushed aircraft which was located parallel to Y. Both First Officer (FO) and I saw the aircraft's taxi light illuminate and aircraft immediately turn toward Y. I was stopping our aircraft; and then FO said 'stop' on radio. Ground asked who said stop; and FO identified us.After some silence with both of us stopped; and with adequate distance between us; Ground issued instructions for other aircraft to taxi to 22L. After aircraft was clear of us; we continued to gate. Prior to encounter; Ground did not issue yield instructions to either one of us. Maintain continued vigilance. Never assume ATC always has watchful eye on you. This was a breakdown of Ground Control's Communication/ situational awareness. The fact that there were many outbound and inbound aircraft at this particular time of the evening may have contributed to it. I was also surprised that Company aircraft did not appear to see us (I do not assume that we are seen anyway). Always check and recheck area around you when getting ready to taxi and while taxiing. And finally; although we were following taxi instructions; we might have taken it a step further by querying Ground Control if outbound aircraft was going to yield to us.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.