B737-700
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 165; Flight Crew Type 4500
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Taxiway
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure
Ready for push back; and while obtaining clearance from Clearance Delivery; they verified we had the clearance and then said something to the effect 'monitor Ground Control;' which was confusing as our documents led us to believe the push clearance would be given by Clearance. As I switched to Ground Control frequency; the aircraft started moving backwards as the Ground Crew started to push us to the start pad. I then checked in with Ground who stated we needed to ask them prior to push for clearance; and I stated; 'sorry we had a communication problem.' [We] pushed and rest of flight uneventful. The FAA needs to move to standardize every airfield ground push back procedures and not let local airfields run amok in their specially designed local procedures; which are confusing to aircrews and depart from industry standards. This needs to be easy and standard for aircrews; not Ground Control. BOS specifically needs to state emphatically on Clearance frequency that the aircrew contact Ground prior to push for clearance to push. This is the only location I know of that have you contact clearance as a normal course of duties. Well; why have PDC? We understand Ramp Control; fine; but this procedure is faulty and needs to change to help the pilots; not the controllers.
Air carrier pushing from the gate in BOS alleged the procedure for push backs involving ATC and Ramp Control are confusing and should be standardized in the NAS to avoid unneeded confusion.