Air Carrier flight crew landing Runway 14R expects to use taxiways F and C to their gate on the north side of the terminal. The Tower advises that the crew must enter via Taxiway J as the ramp taxiway is not available for taxi. This is a problem due to the aircraft pointing south on Taxiway F with no room to turn around.

Narrative

We landed on Runway 14R at OMA. Since we were light; normal braking made for an easy turnoff at Taxiway F. We had discussed this possible turnoff prior to descent; since there were no NOTAMS in our paperwork indicating any taxi restrictions on the west side of the airport; we were planning to taxi via F; then C to the ramp. As we made the turn onto Taxiway F; Tower gave us an initial taxi clearance of 'Make the turn onto A; then F J to the ramp.' He amended it quickly to 'F A J to the ramp.' Unfortunately; he gave us this clearance as we were already halfway through the F/A Intersection. We saw the taxi signs for A ahead of us; so we started to head south on A; but stopped right away (while still in the F/A/C Intersection) and started to attempt to clear up the confusion. Without recounting the entire conversation (we did ask the Tower to save the tapes); Tower told us that we were not authorized to taxi on the ramp taxiway; even though there was no published NOTAM restricting it; and that we had to make a 180 turn in the taxiway intersection to go back north on A. This maneuver was totally impossible; which led to further discussion. We were told that our only option was to turn; there wasn't enough wing tip clearance to use the terminal ramp. We could see there was plenty of room; but the Controller said that it was airport policy since the A380 hit the RJ at JFK. It appeared we were stuck; so we were preparing to shut down and call for a tug when Tower asked if there was room for us to turn right on Taxiway C then left on the ramp; make a 180 between the terminals; then backtrack C-A-J. There was plenty of room; we did the 180; then worked back to the ramp. As we taxied in; Controller suggested that we get with company and tell aircraft not to use Taxiway F to exit the runway; this leads me to believe this situation has happened a lot recently. Major Problems: 1) Airport had taxi restrictions that were not published or made available to the crew. If there is a restriction; tell us ahead of time! 2) Controller gave us a clearance after we had passed the taxiway; without enough room to turn around. 3) The confluence of taxiways F; A; and C is exceptionally confusing; especially at night. It needs to be identified as a hot spot on the airport diagram. 4) Since OMA is not a big destination (only my second time there in 14 years); place a restriction on the OMA briefing page against using Taxiway F to exit Runway 14R. This could prevent this from happening again if the airport refuses to publish the taxi restrictions. One further note: I was never able to contact OMA ops on the radio. I suspect everyone was out to meet the airplane; but we would have been unable to call for a tow if that had become the only option.