Medium Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 123
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
After landing on Runway 31L at Dallas; we cleared at Taxiway C4 and were told to contact Ground Control.  I briefed and was expecting to turn right on C5 and then join P to Gate.  Instead; Ground told us to taxi via P; B5; and B to the gate.  I was initially confused and had to find P on the 10-9 airport diagram.  I saw that it was essentially Taxiway C5 as it continued east.  I then followed P on the airport as it joined the ramp.  However; after I did this; Ground told me I missed the turn north onto B5 but to continue anyway toward the gate.  He also advised us that the area (north of the terminal) is uncontrolled and use caution to the gate.  In addition; he commented something along the lines that 'lots of planes do that and don't worry about it.'  We proceeded uneventfully to the gate.I missed the turn north onto B5 because 1) it was not what I was expecting; and 2) my initial confusion in not getting the logically sequential turn onto; first C5; and then P after clearing the runway at C4.  In addition; the DAL 10-9 page shows Taxiway P continuing onto the ramp.  I simply followed P too far as shown on the diagram.  I don't know what other solution would be best; but perhaps one should be discussed since we were obviously not the first ones to do this.
After exiting 31L at C4; Ground cleared us to taxi P; B5; and B and cross Runway 36 to the gate. The Captain and I began to discuss whether ground meant C5; P B5; and B to the gate. We believe that C5 should have been part of the taxi clearance. We agreed that was the only way to get to P; B5; and B; so we continued. Our discussion about Ground's questionable clearance distracted us; which led to us missing the left turn onto B5. Taxiway markings are also confusing. We proceeded onto P and remained on P through the non-movement area. Ground advised us we missed the turn onto B5. We apologized; and Ground cleared us to continue to taxi to the gate via P and B. Ground said not to worry about it.
Airline flight crew reports misunderstanding a taxi clearance to the ramp after landing on runway 31L at DAL.