Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 233
Time Pressure; Workload; Situational Awareness; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Airport; Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors; Procedure
As we were initially cleared to taxi; our initial taxi clearance was; 'Taxi to Runway 12L via L; E; cross 12R.' After reaching Taxiway E; we received an amended clearance to turn right on P; cross 12L; and taxi to 12L via F. We were then told to contact Tower. After switching to Tower; the Tower Controller told us to hustle up to 12L because there was landing traffic on a six-mile final and they wanted us to depart prior to their landing. Approaching the runway on Taxiway F; Tower cleared us for takeoff on Runway 12L. Instead of turning left on Taxiway S; we continued taxiing straight ahead and crossed the hold short line for Runway 6/24 instead of 12L. The Tower Supervisor overrode the initial Controller; canceled our takeoff clearance; and told us to do a 180-degree turn and taxi back to 12L. At that point; the initial Tower Controller made a comment on the radio that this was the second time today; implying the second time this same incident happened. After making the 180-degree turn; we were subsequently told that the landing traffic was on a three-mile final and to expedite and we were cleared for takeoff on Runway 12L; which we did without further incident. Never in any of our taxi or takeoff clearances was Taxiway S mentioned. Taxiway S is the taxiway leading to the approach end of Runway 12L. We were responsible to make sure of the proper taxi route to 12L. Both the Captain and I had our airport pages out and displayed. Had the taxi and takeoff clearances included verbiage about using Taxiway S to access 12L; it's highly probable that the confusion would not have happened. Since this was the second time this happened on this day; it leads me to believe that something needs to be changed with the way the clearances are given as well. The location of the signage and hold short lines for Runways 12L/30R and 6/24 can easily be misleading due to the close proximity of the two runways. I definitely could have backed my Captain up better by noting the complexity of the taxiways and runways.
This was clearly my fault as Captain and pilot flying at the time. I should have declined the 'hustle up' clearance and stopped the aircraft to check my position. I had never been to this part of Lambert Field and was unfamiliar with the layout. Had I slowed down and check my airport page (which was right in front of me); I would not have crossed the 6-24 hold short. As I was turning around on Foxtrot; another Tower Controller said; 'That's the second time today that has happened.' If that is the case; then I would think that a change in signage is in order or taxi clearances to include; 'Taxi to 12L at SIERRA.' Had I been given Taxiway Sierra; I would not have passed it and onto 6-24. Making this a Hot Spot on the airport page may also help highlight this problem area.
A flight crew on STL Taxiway F reported missing the Runway 12L entry on Taxiway S and so incurred Runway 6/24.