SEA Ground Controller described a confused call sign issue when the wrong strip was placed at Local Control; noting the call signs are similar sounding and very closely numbered.
Synopsis
SEA Ground Controller described a confused call sign issue when the wrong strip was placed at Local Control; noting the call signs are similar sounding and very closely numbered.
Narrative
It was my last time on position for the day. I'll have to admit I was pretty tired when I took position because it had been my quick turn. Air Carrier X called for taxi and I thought he said Air Carrier XXX something; when I looked at my strips I had Air Carrier XXY so I taxied him out to the runway. A couple of minutes later an aircraft that departed tagged up as Air Carrier XXY and the Local Controller said that he/she had called him Air Carrier XXX because that is what strip indicated and the pilot hadn't corrected her; but it was apparently Air Carrier XXY with Air Carrier XXX's strip. The aircraft that I had taxied out was Air Carrier XXX and I had called him Air Carrier XXY. I honestly don't know if I taxied the first aircraft; normally if I have taxied someone with like sounding call signs; I recognize that and double check so I don't think I had taxied the first Carrier outbound; but I can't swear to it. One of the call signs should be changed because this is not the first time that something like this has happened. Also; the numeral X and the numeral Y look very similar on the ASDE-X and the STARS and that can lead to other problems and misunderstandings. Recommendation: the Air Carrier should change one of the call signs of these aircraft; especially because these aircraft depart different directions and if the Local Controller is expecting one to turn the opposite direction it could cause a much more serious problem in the air. I should have listened to the little voice that told me I thought he said Air Carrier XXX rather than Air Carrier XXY and questioned him. If I had; right then I would have been able to realize what was going on before the Local Controller departed the other aircraft. Also; neither of the pilots called attention to the fact that both the Ground Controller and the Local Controller were calling them by the wrong call signs; basically a failure all along the line. There are other sets of call signs that have created problems as well.
Second reporter narrative
I had been on Local Assist for around 45 minutes when Air Carrier XXX's strip had been placed in our line up. We were having a departure push so I was paying attention to the line up and to separation on final. Air Carrier XXX departed with the 145 heading that the LOA states. When he tagged up on the scope; the call sign was Air Carrier XXY. Air Carrier XXY should have received a 230 heading. I immediately called to the correct departure frequency and explain the situation. They took the aircraft on the 145 and vectored the airplane on the opposite down wind with no incident. On both the strip and the ASDE-X; the call signs looked identical. Also; the pilot responded and took the clearance as Air Carrier XXX; even though the call sign was Air Carrier XXY. [They] sound almost identical; change one or both of the Air Carrier's call signs.
More incidents for this aircraft family →
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.