An air carrier Captain elected to ignore the Ramp Controllers instructions to taxi via the ramp to a holding spot at LAS and taxied onto and utilized a taxiway for which he had not been cleared. The Captain advised he was forced to use the taxiway because the ramp lacked taxi lines he is required to use to insure wingtip clearance. The First Officer stated that such unilateral suspect behavior on the part of Captains at his airline was the source of a deserved bad reputation among other pilot groups.
Synopsis
An air carrier Captain elected to ignore the Ramp Controllers instructions to taxi via the ramp to a holding spot at LAS and taxied onto and utilized a taxiway for which he had not been cleared. The Captain advised he was forced to use the taxiway because the ramp lacked taxi lines he is required to use to insure wingtip clearance. The First Officer stated that such unilateral suspect behavior on the part of Captains at his airline was the source of a deserved bad reputation among other pilot groups.
Narrative
We were cleared to 'Taxi to a holding area via the ramp.' As I taxied to the end of Concourse C; I noticed the taxi lines did not go through the ramp and only led to Taxiway C. As I evaluated the ramp and Taxiway C geography; I realized what a hazard it would be to go 'off roading' through the narrow ramp that existed between the tip of Concourse C and Taxiway C. The only thing that was plausible to me was to use a small portion of Taxiway C to gain access to the other side of the ramp and forgo the hazardous area (ramp). As we accessed Taxiway C; Ramp Control asked us if we were on Taxiway C. We replied yes. Ramp said we were given instructions to taxi via the ramp. I told Ramp that we didn't have wingtip clearance via the ramp and that I thought she meant via Taxiway C. She said we do have wingtip clearance and I explained that we did not. There were not any lines for us to follow. She said surprisingly; 'There aren't any lines?' I said 'no.' She said to get clearance for Taxiway C next time.Ultimately; I realize my error was in making an assumption. I should have asked for clarification on the taxi instructions and been a better communicator and taken responsibility for that completely. However; Ramp made assumptions too. Ramp should not be giving us taxi instructions to taxi in such a hazardous area. This area is in very close proximity to parked aircraft and is a vehicle movement area. Additionally; aircraft that are taxiing on Taxiway C assume they are going to have wingtip clearance with the aircraft that are taxiing in this narrow ramp area; which does not have taxi lines. If this is condoned; then what is the purpose of having the discipline to follow taxi lines or not taxi between a pushed aircraft and the terminal? I know there is construction going on in LAS; but let's maintain our Safety discipline. LAS Ramp needs to be aware of this situation and correct the taxi instructions that put our flight crews in this situation.
Second reporter narrative
As he approached C; I reminded the Captain that we were supposed to stay on the ramp for taxi and pointed out my right window to indicate the direction we needed to go. The Captain stated that there was no taxi line in that area and he was required to remain on the taxi lines as he continued to taxi across the hold short line and onto Taxiway C. I should have more adamantly protested the Captain's insistence on continuing to taxi. Whether the Captain was intentionally ignoring the hold short ramp boundary markings or just oblivious to them; I should have demanded he stop the aircraft to sort out the perceived problem. The Captain could have paid more attention to the fact that I was pointing out our clearance to stay on the ramp; as I pointed out my right window. At least a half-day of 'taxi 101' added to the Captain upgrade course. Our industry reputation for non-standard ground operations is well-deserved and will continue to be negatively illuminated as we operate at larger and more complex airports. The air safety bulletins on this issue don't seem to be getting through to everyone; so my specific recommendation for an upgrade course time is an attempt to avoid the generic 'all crews need training'; a blurb that has been ineffective to date. If this is going to be a common clearance given for taxi to the southbound runways from the gates; perhaps a taxi line should be added between the concourse and the ramp boundary with Taxiway C to provide wingtip guidance for a 'taxi via the ramp' clearance in that area.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.