B737-700
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 245; Flight Crew Type 10000
Confusion; Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Taxiway
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure
On push back in SFO we received clearance to push from Ramp Control. Our ramp agents started pushing us all the way onto an active taxiway. We questioned the Ramp Agent; who was hard to hear; the reason for pushing us on the taxiway and he advised us it was because of an aircraft trying to come in the alley. We had no clearance to push on the active taxiway. We switched to Ground and apologized for the push. No conflict with another aircraft except Company airplane had to wait for a minute.
We were ready for push out of gate at SFO. We contacted Ramp Control and were told we were cleared to push. The Ramp Controller never mentioned anything about traffic behind us or which way to push. Captain told Push Crew that they were cleared to push and push began. Tug Driver mentioned there was another carrier's jet behind us and then began to push us. We never told him to push in that direction; he just did it to avoid traffic. We figured he knew what he was doing. He kept pushing us and the next thing we knew we were past the non-movement area and being pushed onto an active taxiway. I mentioned this to the Captain and he asked the Tug Driver something. I did not hear that conversation; and Captain said he did not understand Tug Driver either. Knowing this; on radio two I switched to SFO Ground and we had created a jam. I called Ground and apologized to them telling them we had no idea we would end up on this taxiway. She told us to hurry since Company and other aircraft were waiting for us to move. I don't know what kind of instruction is given to Push Crews at SFO; but we can't cross into a movement area out of the gate; and we assumed they knew that. We let the Tug Driver get us into a bad position and by the time we realized what was going on; we were halfway onto the active taxiway. Ramp Control might have been confused; busy; or something since they cleared us to push.
Air Carrier being pushed back by 'Ramp Control' inadvertently entered an active taxiway without ATC approval.