B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Taxiway
General None Reported / Taken
Airport; Human Factors; Procedure
During taxi out; was given taxi instructions for 22L; then 28R; then 22L B to D behind two other air carrier jets. With all the taxi instructions; changes; congestion on the radio; when the two jets went by; I followed them. When we were coming out of F; I continued to follow; and went past B to N; still following. It was night and [the taxiway] signs somewhat covered with snow. When on N I realized my error and informed ground. They said 'no worries use 28R at EE.'So many times at ORD taxi instructions are to 'follow XXX.' I fell into that trap and did. I will increase my vigilance to ensure follow is only for so long and then continue assigned route.
...Seconds later received taxi clearance to 22l...going behind 2 [approaching air carrier jets]. Normal clearances in ORD [often] contain follow aircraft instruction. Ours apparently was a taxi behind but don't follow.Chicago is not standard in the way they issue taxi clearances and I believe there was some crossover interference from previous ways clearances were giving when interpreting this one. A lot of shortcuts are taken to save radio time in Chicago.
When cleared to taxi to a specific runway at ORD behind two approaching air carrier jets the flight crew of a B737NG interpreted that to mean follow them to their cleared runway. During their taxi they became aware the two they were taxiing behind were cleared to a different runway. ATC switched their runway rather than try to reroute them to their original runway.