Air carrier pushing from the gate in bos alleged the procedure for push backs involving ATC and ramp...

Narrative:

Ready for push back; and while obtaining clearance from clearance delivery; they verified we had the clearance and then said something to the effect 'monitor ground control;' which was confusing as our documents led us to believe the push clearance would be given by clearance. As I switched to ground control frequency; the aircraft started moving backwards as the ground crew started to push us to the start pad. I then checked in with ground who stated we needed to ask them prior to push for clearance; and I stated; 'sorry we had a communication problem.' [we] pushed and rest of flight uneventful. The FAA needs to move to standardize every airfield ground push back procedures and not let local airfields run amok in their specially designed local procedures; which are confusing to aircrews and depart from industry standards. This needs to be easy and standard for aircrews; not ground control. Bos specifically needs to state emphatically on clearance frequency that the aircrew contact ground prior to push for clearance to push. This is the only location I know of that have you contact clearance as a normal course of duties. Well; why have pre departure clearance? We understand ramp control; fine; but this procedure is faulty and needs to change to help the pilots; not the controllers.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier pushing from the gate in BOS alleged the procedure for push backs involving ATC and Ramp Control are confusing and should be standardized in the NAS to avoid unneeded confusion.

Narrative: Ready for push back; and while obtaining clearance from Clearance Delivery; they verified we had the clearance and then said something to the effect 'monitor Ground Control;' which was confusing as our documents led us to believe the push clearance would be given by Clearance. As I switched to Ground Control frequency; the aircraft started moving backwards as the Ground Crew started to push us to the start pad. I then checked in with Ground who stated we needed to ask them prior to push for clearance; and I stated; 'sorry we had a communication problem.' [We] pushed and rest of flight uneventful. The FAA needs to move to standardize every airfield ground push back procedures and not let local airfields run amok in their specially designed local procedures; which are confusing to aircrews and depart from industry standards. This needs to be easy and standard for aircrews; not Ground Control. BOS specifically needs to state emphatically on Clearance frequency that the aircrew contact Ground prior to push for clearance to push. This is the only location I know of that have you contact clearance as a normal course of duties. Well; why have PDC? We understand Ramp Control; fine; but this procedure is faulty and needs to change to help the pilots; not the controllers.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1024715
Time
Date	201207
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	BOS.Airport
State Reference	MA
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737-700
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Taxi
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	First Officer
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 165 Flight Crew Type 4500
Events
Anomaly	Deviation - Procedural Clearance Ground Incursion Taxiway

Air carrier pushing from the gate in bos alleged the procedure for push backs involving ATC and ramp control are confusing and should be standardized in the NAS to avoid unneeded confusion.