A closed runway and a change in departure/arrival directions resulted in confusion between ground co...

Narrative:

During push; the airport went to west flow with xxl closed. Ground control's clearance was; 'pushback approved tail east for xxl.' when we were ready for taxi; the first officer called ground and the controller issued taxi clearance to xxl. Seeing the big flashing 'X' on the runway; we queried the controller to 'confirm xxl.' he realized the repeated error and gave taxi instructions to xxr and said 'I'm sorry I keep saying that; taxi to xxr.' we began the taxi out and prior to crossing xxl; I asked the first officer if we were cleared to cross? His response was 'yes.' we taxied across the approach end of xxl; which was closed and held short of xxr. Crossing xxl; we switched to tower who advised that 'in the future; even though the runway is closed; make sure you get clearance to cross.' we thought we had clearance to cross. The lesson I learned was; don't just ask the first officer and assume he knows. Have him query ATC for clarification. Had xxl been open; I would have done that but because it was a closed runway I didn't.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A closed runway and a change in departure/arrival directions resulted in confusion between Ground Control and an air carrier flight crew and contributed to a taxiway incursion.

Narrative: During push; the airport went to west flow with XXL closed. Ground Control's clearance was; 'pushback approved tail east for XXL.' When we were ready for taxi; the First Officer called Ground and the Controller issued taxi clearance to XXL. Seeing the big flashing 'X' on the runway; we queried the Controller to 'Confirm XXL.' He realized the repeated error and gave taxi instructions to XXR and said 'I'm sorry I keep saying that; taxi to XXR.' We began the taxi out and prior to crossing XXL; I asked the First Officer if we were cleared to cross? His response was 'yes.' We taxied across the approach end of XXL; which was closed and held short of XXR. Crossing XXL; we switched to Tower who advised that 'in the future; even though the runway is closed; make sure you get clearance to cross.' We thought we had clearance to cross. The lesson I learned was; don't just ask the First Officer and assume he knows. Have him query ATC for clarification. Had XXL been open; I would have done that but because it was a closed runway I didn't.

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.

Attributes
ACN	974539
Time
Date	201110
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Dawn
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Commercial Fixed Wing
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Taxi
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 159
Person 2
Function	Pilot Not Flying First Officer
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 189
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Clearance Ground Incursion Runway

A closed runway and a change in departure/arrival directions resulted in confusion between ground control and an air carrier flight crew and contributed to a taxiway incursion.