Narrative:

We were carrier XXX departing sfo. Sfo was simultaneously landing and departing on both 28L and 28R. We were given a revised clearance for the SHOR2; (right turn to 040; radar vectors) and 15.000 ft. When we were cleared for take off 28L; an airplane was touching down on 28R and other traffic was maneuvering on final for both runways. During the take off roll; we heard tower query an aircraft on final regarding traffic and instructing them to go around. I do not know the full situation; as we were concentrating on our take off. We lifted off and raised the gear. As we were starting our turn; tower asked us to confirm we were turning to 040. I replied affirmative. I then thought I heard 'carrier XXX; fly heading 275; maintain 3;000'. I read this back as the first officer rolled back to the new heading. I then heard 'carrier XXX; heading 265'. I read that back and set it. We were scrambling to get the flaps up and level off at 3;000. Tower then asked company carrier xyx to confirm what heading he was on. He replied that he had not responded to any calls. Tower gave him 265; and then asked us if we were on a 040 heading. Very alarmed; I replied negative; that we were on the 265 heading and leveling at 3;000: what did they want us to do? Tower instructed us to turn right immediately. They issued additional instructions to carrier xyx; and then instructed us to fly a heading and continue climbing. We were then turned over to norcal. Nothing else was said; and the remainder of the flight was uneventful. Both of us thought we heard our flight number from tower. I don't know if the error was ours or theirs. The similar call signs were obviously a factor. I don't know what tower's intentions were; or if we conflicted with the aircraft on the go-around.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air Carrier departing from SFO on an assigned 040 heading reported confusion regarding ATC's instructions involving them and and a missed approach aircraft.

Narrative: We were Carrier XXX departing SFO. SFO was simultaneously landing and departing on both 28L and 28R. We were given a revised clearance for the SHOR2; (right turn to 040; RADAR vectors) and 15.000 FT. When we were cleared for take off 28L; an airplane was touching down on 28R and other traffic was maneuvering on final for both runways. During the take off roll; we heard Tower query an aircraft on final regarding traffic and instructing them to go around. I do not know the full situation; as we were concentrating on our take off. We lifted off and raised the gear. As we were starting our turn; Tower asked us to confirm we were turning to 040. I replied affirmative. I then thought I heard 'Carrier XXX; fly heading 275; maintain 3;000'. I read this back as the First Officer rolled back to the new heading. I then heard 'Carrier XXX; heading 265'. I read that back and set it. We were scrambling to get the flaps up and level off at 3;000. Tower then asked Company Carrier XYX to confirm what heading he was on. He replied that he had not responded to any calls. Tower gave him 265; and then asked us if we were on a 040 heading. Very alarmed; I replied negative; that we were on the 265 heading and leveling at 3;000: What did they want us to do? Tower instructed us to turn right immediately. They issued additional instructions to Carrier XYX; and then instructed us to fly a heading and continue climbing. We were then turned over to NORCAL. Nothing else was said; and the remainder of the flight was uneventful. Both of us thought we heard our flight number from Tower. I don't know if the error was ours or theirs. The similar call signs were obviously a factor. I don't know what Tower's intentions were; or if we conflicted with the aircraft on the go-around.

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.