Narrative:

Similar sounding call signs; again:operating flight clearance delivery. We were conducting the arrival to land west with houston approach control; frequency 134.00 mhz. As we were on the radar downwind; a company flight abcd checked on frequency. Immediately we could tell this was going to be an issue; especially given the fact that we were receiving numerous altitude; heading; and speed changes from ATC; as was flight abcd. Houston approach control then transmitted; 'air carrier flight clearance delivery; use caution as company abcd is also on frequency.' he gave the same warning to the other flight. Luckily there were no errors committed where a clearance meant for one flight is taken by the other due to the similar sounding call signs. But there was a very high probability of this happening when similar sounding call signs are operating on the same frequency!it appears that this is a company-induced threat to the safe operation of our flights; but no serious attempt has been made to correct it. It certainly seems hypocritical when I listen to our safety briefings during recurrent training ('safety is our highest priority') yet nothing is being done about this issue. In regards to the more general issue of similar call-signs; our company reacts quickly to all identified flight number conflicts and the operations takes necessary short term action through use of radio call-signs and operations addresses the longer term through schedule change. 'Company reacts quickly?' the frequency of occurrence of similar sounding call signs in our flight operation does not support the above assertion. I fail to see any short term or long term actions that have addressed this safety issue.from prior reports:repeat write-up: similar sounding call signsoperating flight cdc. While talking with chicago approach control during the arrival; a company cec checked on frequency. Instantly there was moment when both the controller and us realized our call sign was very similar sounding to flight cec. The controller issued the standard warning of 'caution company cdc; similar sounding call sign with company cec.' we acknowledged. Then sure enough; just a couple minutes later during radar vectors; the controller mixed up the call signs between cec and us! Luckily we caught it.it still appears there is nothing in place from our company to prevent marketing from using similar sounding call signs with flights in close proximity to one another; read: on the same ATC frequency! As management says; while operating our aircraft we try to 'be safe; fly safe.' however; it seems inconsistent with that goal to not have in place a process to de-conflict similar sounding call signs. This is not a new flight safety issue; and it is a well-documented threat to safety. We are possibly setting the stage for a future mishap when such a practice continues to exist.we were operating flight afhg. Early morning flight. While we were up at cruise; we heard a company fhg on frequency. This was a flight operating north-bound; and they were on the same ATC frequency as us; being issued altitude instructions. These two flight numbers; when spoken over the radios; sound very; very similar; creating the potential for the wrong flight taking an ATC-issued altitude or turn meant for the other flight. Or; it could lead to ATC confusing the flights; as I have seen before. This is a frequent occurrence. In april I had saved a flight plan copy from flight company aidj. Right in front of us was flight company aibj; again sounding very similar to our call sign. We followed them for over two hours; and they were on every new ATC sector frequency with us.in discussions with a couple flight operation management individuals; along with alpa air safety; I understand that there is not a single program; filter; or safeguard preventing company flights from sharing similar sounding call signs. Years ago; I recall there being instances where a letter (e.g.; 'tango') would be added to a call sign if there were another flight operating nearby that had a similar sounding flight number. Not today. It is like company management has completely disregarded the stacks and stacks of air safety reports that document the hazards of similar sounding call signs. Just because marketing comes up with flight numbers to use; doesn't mean they shouldn't be de-conflicted with other flights.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An Air Carrier Captain describes a series of flights over time in which similar sounding company call signs created the potential for ATC and pilot communication errors. No apparent conflict mitigation was evident.

Narrative: Similar Sounding Call Signs; Again:Operating flight CD. We were conducting the arrival to land west with Houston Approach Control; frequency 134.00 MHz. As we were on the radar downwind; a company flight ABCD checked on frequency. Immediately we could tell this was going to be an issue; especially given the fact that we were receiving numerous altitude; heading; and speed changes from ATC; as was flight ABCD. Houston Approach Control then transmitted; 'Air carrier flight CD; use caution as company ABCD is also on frequency.' He gave the same warning to the other flight. Luckily there were no errors committed where a clearance meant for one flight is taken by the other due to the similar sounding call signs. But there was a very high probability of this happening when similar sounding call signs are operating on the same frequency!It appears that this is a Company-induced threat to the safe operation of our flights; but no serious attempt has been made to correct it. It certainly seems hypocritical when I listen to our safety briefings during recurrent training ('Safety is our highest priority') yet nothing is being done about this issue. In regards to the more general issue of similar call-signs; our Company reacts quickly to all identified flight number conflicts and the Operations takes necessary short term action through use of radio call-signs and Operations addresses the longer term through schedule change. 'Company reacts quickly?' The frequency of occurrence of similar sounding call signs in our flight operation does not support the above assertion. I fail to see any short term or long term actions that have addressed this safety issue.From prior reports:Repeat Write-Up: Similar Sounding Call SignsOperating flight CDC. While talking with Chicago Approach Control during the arrival; a Company CEC checked on frequency. Instantly there was moment when both the controller and us realized our call sign was VERY similar sounding to flight CEC. The controller issued the standard warning of 'Caution Company CDC; similar sounding call sign with Company CEC.' We acknowledged. Then sure enough; just a couple minutes later during radar vectors; the controller mixed up the call signs between CEC and us! Luckily we caught it.It still appears there is nothing in place from our Company to prevent marketing from using similar sounding call signs with flights in close proximity to one another; read: on the same ATC frequency! As Management says; while operating our aircraft we try to 'be safe; fly safe.' However; it seems inconsistent with that goal to not have in place a process to de-conflict similar sounding call signs. This is not a new flight safety issue; and it is a well-documented threat to safety. We are possibly setting the stage for a future mishap when such a practice continues to exist.We were operating flight AFHG. Early morning flight. While we were up at cruise; we heard a Company FHG on frequency. This was a flight operating north-bound; and they were on the same ATC frequency as us; being issued altitude instructions. These two flight numbers; when spoken over the radios; sound VERY; VERY similar; creating the potential for the wrong flight taking an ATC-issued altitude or turn meant for the other flight. Or; it could lead to ATC confusing the flights; as I have seen before. This is a frequent occurrence. In April I had saved a flight plan copy from flight Company AIDJ. Right in front of us was flight Company AIBJ; again sounding very similar to our call sign. We followed them for over two hours; and they were on every new ATC sector frequency with us.In discussions with a couple Flight Operation management individuals; along with ALPA Air Safety; I understand that there is not a single program; filter; or safeguard preventing Company flights from sharing similar sounding call signs. Years ago; I recall there being instances where a letter (e.g.; 'Tango') would be added to a call sign if there were another flight operating nearby that had a similar sounding flight number. Not today. It is like Company management has completely disregarded the stacks and stacks of air safety reports that document the hazards of similar sounding call signs. Just because marketing comes up with flight numbers to use; doesn't mean they shouldn't be de-conflicted with other flights.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.