Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 188; Flight Crew Total 23744; Flight Crew Type 11284
Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Airport; Chart Or Publication; Human Factors
We got clearance to taxi via D13 to Runway 25R. I barely taxied from Spot 8; and all I had signage for that I could see; was straight ahead E13 and nothing said D13 or to my left Taxiway Romeo. I stopped; told the First Officer this is confusing how the signage was and was not sure. I (while stopped); studied the Jepp 10-9 page some more (we both did.) I thought I was on D13; but I must have been right before it. (We were the only jet at the time when we taxied out and when we were maneuvering about.) According to the chart; I thought; if we were at D13; left or straight gets you to 25R. I sadly turned left; right before D13. I turned right immediately; turned right of which I now know was Taxiway Romeo. No signage I could see till right AFTER I turn right on Romeo; looking back I saw the Taxiway Romeo sign only after you go past it. I maneuvered back to where D13 would have taken us. Again; no planes around us at the time. Very discouraged. How did we mess this up? Ground and Tower said nothing to us; and were quite kind. Next time; when in doubt; stop like I did; but this time; ask the controller for clarification.
A B737-300 flight crew was confused by a taxi clearance at PHX when no immediate sign was available to identify taxiway D13.