Air carrier Captain reported CVG Ramp Controller told them they they did not hold short of a parking spot as instructed.

Date: 2025-09 · Aircraft: Commercial Fixed Wing · Phase: taxi

Anomalies: conflict-ground-conflict|less-severe|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-clearance|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy|ground-incursion-ramp|ground-incursion-taxiway

Synopsis

Air carrier Captain reported CVG Ramp Controller told them they they did not hold short of a parking spot as instructed.

Narrative

Upon switching from Ground Control to Ramp Tower; we were given taxi instructions from Ramp Tower to; 'Taxi Juliet hold short Spot 9.' Per the Airport Moving Map (AMM) chart and airport markings Spot 9 is located approximately 300 feet north of Juliet; on taxi Golf where it inspects the Ramp 3 line. Based on the instructions given from Ramp Tower; I understood our instructions to be taxi Juliet; turn north on Golf and hold short of the ramp line the ramp line where spot 9 was depicted. Upon making the turn; north there was Aircraft Y taxing south on Foxtrot; parallel to Golf. Ramp Tower called 'Make sure you have clearance on Aircraft Y; you were told to hold short of spot 9.' I was confused because I still had not reached the hold line depicted for spot 9. Upon questioning the Ramp Tower; he again said we were supposed to hold short of 9; meaning short of Golf on Juliet and not make the turn north. Wingtip clearance was not assured with the Aircraft Y. The correct instructions should have been; 'Continue Juliet hold short of Golf.'

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.