Large Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 190; Flight Crew Total 20000; Flight Crew Type 9000
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Distraction; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Airport; ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings; Environment - Non Weather Related
Taxiing out for departure was cleared to taxi to 25R via C. While leaving the east side of the ramp area near Taxiway C1 looked to my left and saw a taxiway with a black C sign next to it. We both thought it was Taxiway C and made a left turn; after taxiing eastbound Ground Control informed us that we were on Taxiway Q not C. They subsequently recleared us to Taxiway C via Taxiway R. Prior to the turn on to Q we both looked and after seeing the black C sign next to the taxiway we both concluded that we were turning on to Taxiway C. Neither of us saw a black Taxiway Q sign anywhere near this taxiway which turned out to be Taxiway Q. No traffic conflicts occurred and the rest of the flight was uneventfully.
The Reporter stated that they exited the East Terminal Ramp near Spot 1. At the time; there were no aircraft in the Hold Pad 6 area; so there was a large open ramp area. As they approached the taxiways the first sign they saw was a black square on the tarmac with a C in it so both pilots assumed that was Taxiway C. They turned left on it and were subsequently notified by ATC that they were on Taxiway Q. The Reporter believes that the signage was misleading and would like to return to the airport for a look at what they actually saw and how the signage related to both Taxiways C and Q. He believes that the signage was ambiguous and because of the large open ramp area could have lead them to anticipate Taxiway C before they actually taxied to it.
An air carrier Captain was cleared to LAS Runway 25R via Taxiway C but taxied onto Taxiway Q from the East Ramp near Spot 1 because he was confused by a C painted on the taxiway which made it appear to him that Taxiway Q was Taxiway C.