Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors; Procedure; Company Policy; Airport
We should be more cognizant of our location and taxi instructions. Contributing factors were that neither pilot had been to LGA in multiple years and the airport briefing pages and ACARS messages were not as clear as they could be. A note on either of those noting that the correct gate has a sign with the terminal number on it would have helped greatly. Our gate has an XX sign whereas the wrong gate only has X on it. Also; there are too many frequencies (tower; ground; company; ramp; ground; then ramp again) to be called after landing especially when it's such a short taxing exiting Runway 4 where there isn't much time for both pilots to be fully concentrating on taxiing and not distracted by other duties.
Air Carrier pilot reported turning the wrong way while taxiing due to confusing gate signs and confusing taxi communication procedures at LGA.