Large Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 197; Flight Crew Type 13000
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors
We were given a taxi clearance to taxi from the ramp to Runway 26L via Taxiway Uniform and Sierra to Runway 26L; and to hold short of Taxiway Delta. The taxi instructions from the Ground Controller were out of the normal sequence and we were confused because Taxiway Delta is at the departure end of Runway 8R; not 26L.   The First Officer attempted to verify the clearance with the Controller several times and she was becoming increasingly agitated; and twice told us to read back the runway assignment with our call sign which we did. Because we were still unsure what she wanted us to do; we stopped the aircraft on Taxiway Uniform short of Runway 26L trying to get some clarification. As we were sitting there; a smaller aircraft with another carrier's colors departed Runway 8R in front of us. Had we not stopped; we would have been crossing the runway with that aircraft on takeoff roll. As that was happening; the First Officer pointed out to the Controller that Taxiway Delta was at the departure end of Runway 8R and we were then cleared to taxi to Runway 26L and hold short of Taxiway Whiskey. Neither the First Officer nor I ever heard instructions to hold short of any runways off Taxiway Whiskey. Neither the First Officer nor I ever heard instructions to hold short of any runways.
Pilot departing ONT is given terrible taxi instruction to Runway 26L. Controller is questioned; agitated because of the questions. While holding short of 26L; an aircraft departs in front of the taxing aircraft which had no hold short instructions.