Medium Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness; Fatigue
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Company Policy; Human Factors
After push-back from gate; the first officer called ATC for taxi instructions. When taxi instructions were received; I cleared the area visually and saw no ramp crew and no obstructions so I began the power-up for taxi. A ramp crew employee jumped back from under the nose of the aircraft and gave us the stop signal. The power-up was immediately canceled and the brake was re-set. Apparently the wave-off never occurred even though I thought that it had. I signaled for the ramp crew to hook up their headset to ensure that no one was hurt. I was advised by the ramp crew that the tug was not attached to the aircraft and that there was no damage to persons or property. We continued the flight without incident.This was a three day trip. Day two had an [early morning] local van. Day 3 had an [evening] van. When switching a crew from the front side of the clock to the back side of the clock it can make for a difficult day. That being said; somehow the first officer and I both missed not verifying the wave-off from the ramp. From now on before any taxi I will verify the wave-off with the first officer and if there is any doubt I will contact ops for absolute verification.
After Pushback from gate in ORD; with both engines started; the Captain called for the after start checklist. We ran the checklist and upon finishing the checklist I called Chicago metering and then was switched to ground control. Ground gave us Taxi instructions and I read them back. When I was done transmitting I heard the Captain talking to the ground crew because the tug and rampers were still near the aircraft. The Captain verified that everyone was ok. We continued the flight with no other incidents.
Air carrier flight crew reported attempting to taxi without receiving the all clear signal from the ground push back crew. The Captain stopped the aircraft and then established communication with the ground crew to ensure that there were no injuries. Crew then safely taxied away from the ramp.