Widebody aircraft Captain reported confusion between the flight crew and ATC at PHL regarding which taxiways were appropriate for the aircraft and stated the taxi diagram needs more highlighting to easily differentiate taxiway Victor from taxiway Kilo.
Synopsis
Widebody aircraft Captain reported confusion between the flight crew and ATC at PHL regarding which taxiways were appropriate for the aircraft and stated the taxi diagram needs more highlighting to easily differentiate taxiway Victor from taxiway Kilo.
Narrative
We landed on RWY 27R in PHL. We had informed Approach Control that we were a widebody aircraft. I don't know if the Tower was informed of our aircraft because they tried to get us to exit to the left onto Tango which isn't approved for our aircraft. We asked them to let us exit left onto Whiskey at the end of the runway as we had briefed on the approach for a logical turn towards the ramp. We were instructed to exit right onto K5 which is approved and then left onto K. With a quick glance at the taxi chart it looked to me that it was also approved. As we turned left onto K; the FO noticed the V was the appropriate route for our aircraft. We stopped and explained to the Controller that we needed to transition to V for our taxi. He was frustrated and confused about our request even after explaining our requirements for our aircraft. He even told us to copy the Tower number for a phone call. We finally received the proper taxi instructions and when clear of the controlled area we asked for the number and he said never mind and that they had conflicting information. As far as suggestions; I feel that the Controllers need to be aware of our aircraft's requirements and the taxi diagram for Victor in PHL needs more highlighting to easily differentiate it from taxiway K. They are very close together on the chart.
Second reporter narrative
We landed uneventfully on RWY 27R at PHL after telling the controller we were a widebody aircraft. They told us to exit at K5 then taxi Kilo Zulu Sierra. We advised them our approved taxi route. The controller got upset but gave us the taxi and told us to copy a phone number. We continued to the ramp uneventfully. Once on the ramp I queried ATC about the number to copy then I was informed to not worry about it because there was conflicting information or understanding of the approved taxi route in the tower. Ultimately I believe we followed the correct procedure. If the approved taxi route needs to change then the chart should be updated to reflect so.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.