Narrative:

The bos airport page depicts five specific runway incursion hotspots and numerous specific hold short lines on the airport; and includes an enlargement of the southwest sector of the airdrome. Other airport pages include numerous hold line depictions. In addition; there are three additional pages describing the location and use of various lighting systems. Yet nowhere in the bos pages is there any depiction; explanation; caution; note; or directive regarding the unusual location and compressed distance of the hold short lines on taxiway Q; between runway 22R and taxiway M; one for 22R; and the other for 15R.during a typical bos busy morning push; we were instructed; 'cross runway 22R at Q; left on M; and taxi to runway 22R.' as we began the left turn on M; the first officer advised me to stop. His concern was that we had not been specifically cleared to cross runway 15R on taxiway M. Although we had already crossed the 15R hold short line (which is on Q; not M); we would have been unable to comply anyway as the two hold short lines between M and 22R are not far enough apart to allow a 737 enough space to not protrude over one or the other; so I elected to continue. Ground control noticed the aircraft slow and issued clearance to cross 15R.there were two issues: 1) the failure to adequately notify pilots of this unusual hold short line configuration (and potential conflict); and 2) the reality that the new taxi runway crossing clearance requirements are not always complied with and can affect safe operations; especially at a busy airport with little open air time on ground frequencies in which to 'query' the controller. The bos airport pages should include an enlargement of the hold short lines on Q between 22R and M. We should also return to the well-established guideline of; 'clearance to taxi to a runway includes clearance to cross all runways enroute.' the new requirement; unless and until fully complied with; just adds to the incursion potential.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A B737-NG Captain questioned the lack of chart information regarding the hold short lines for Runway 33L/15R on Taxiway Q at BOS. Also pointed out the difficulties engendered at busy airports by the implementation of the new regulation requiring all runway crossings to be individually cleared by ATC.

Narrative: The BOS airport page depicts five specific runway incursion hotspots and numerous specific hold short lines on the airport; and includes an enlargement of the southwest sector of the airdrome. Other airport pages include numerous hold line depictions. In addition; there are three additional pages describing the location and use of various lighting systems. Yet nowhere in the BOS pages is there any depiction; explanation; caution; note; or directive regarding the unusual location and compressed distance of the hold short lines on Taxiway Q; between Runway 22R and Taxiway M; one for 22R; and the other for 15R.During a typical BOS busy morning push; we were instructed; 'Cross Runway 22R at Q; left on M; and taxi to Runway 22R.' As we began the left turn on M; the First Officer advised me to stop. His concern was that we had not been specifically cleared to cross Runway 15R on Taxiway M. Although we had already crossed the 15R hold short line (which is on Q; not M); we would have been unable to comply anyway as the two hold short lines between M and 22R are not far enough apart to allow a 737 enough space to not protrude over one or the other; so I elected to continue. Ground Control noticed the aircraft slow and issued clearance to cross 15R.There were two issues: 1) the failure to adequately notify pilots of this unusual hold short line configuration (and potential conflict); and 2) the reality that the new taxi runway crossing clearance requirements are not always complied with and can affect safe operations; especially at a busy airport with little open air time on ground frequencies in which to 'query' the Controller. The BOS airport pages should include an enlargement of the hold short lines on Q between 22R and M. We should also return to the well-established guideline of; 'Clearance to taxi to a runway includes clearance to cross all runways enroute.' The new requirement; unless and until fully complied with; just adds to the incursion potential.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.