B757 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150; Flight Crew Total 20000; Flight Crew Type 10000
Distraction; Training / Qualification; Communication Breakdown; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Human Factors; Procedure
I was conducting the first leg of an IOE flight with a new hire; performing an ILS/visual approach into LAS with 15 knot tailwind on approach. [We] received clearance to land. Upon exiting Runway 25L ATC advised us to clear runway; make a right turn to back taxi on the parallel Runway (25R); it was night. I initially questioned this as I was task saturated with the student and monitoring his needs. ATC confirmed the taxi clearance and advised me to call them on a number they gave us. I started to wonder if I didn't have clearance to land etc but I do recall that I had that and had even asked for extra spacing for the student's approach.I tried to call 3 times and kept getting disconnected; finally spoke to gentleman in Tower who said the Local Controller called me three times to confirm the landing runway. I never heard it or misunderstood what he was saying if I did as I thought/knew I had a clearance to land. They informed me that when they use the parallel runway for taxiing it is required that pilots STATE the runway they are cleared to land on along with the landing clearance. I admit that is good technique and usually do that but; being with a student; I had neglected to do so. They told me that for planes that do not do that they send them around to ensure we don't land on the RUNWAY they are using to taxi on since a plane may be there taxiing.It seems this procedure is not well thought out. Runways are for takeoffs and landings; and taxiways are for taxiing. I don't know if it is a manpower issue or not but this seems unsafe. I don't recall seeing this unique to LAS procedure noted on the landing ATIS. If it was I missed it.Nonetheless I would suggest that this practice be discontinued. It's impossible to know all of the quirks of every airport in the world we fly into unless it is noted somewhere formally either in our airport information pages or ATIS etc. I suggest LAS reconsider this procedure. It wouldn't be the first time someone's radio gets blocked or an error occurs that may cause the accident they are essentially setting themselves up for and trying to prevent by what I apparently failed to do.
An air carrier check airman conducting initial on line training for a new First Officer was reprimanded by the LAS Tower for failing to identify the Runway (25L) on which they had been cleared to land; advising this readback was required to insure aircraft do not land on the parallel runway which was being utilized as a taxiway.