Narrative:

When we exited the runway onto taxiway lima going east bound. Ground control instructions were to give way to an MD88 and hold short of ramp X. We gave way for the MD88 continued down lima and held short of ramp X. While holding short of ramp X a 757 crossed our path into the ramp; at this point we were not aware of any other traffic nor saw any other aircraft. At that point we called ramp told them we were holding short of ramp X for the gate. Ramp control came back and told us to taxi in left side to the gate. We then entered the ramp and taxied down towards gate. As we were waiting to get parked we sat there approximately 10 minutes when ramp control wanted us to call ground. When we called ground we were informed that she did not want us to contact ramp and taxi in; she wanted us to wait so she could get another aircraft in before us. She also instructed us that we are not to make that turn until she says so. It is common in other airports as you hold short of a ramp it is expected to call ramp on your own. If the controller would have added in her instruction to hold short of ramp X and stay with her or hold short of taxiway sierra there would have not been any doubt as to not switch frequency and contact ramp.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air Carrier taxiing to gate at ATL experienced confusion regarding frequency assignments involving Ground Control and Ramp Control.

Narrative: When we exited the runway onto Taxiway Lima going east bound. Ground Control instructions were to give way to an MD88 and hold short of Ramp X. We gave way for the MD88 continued down Lima and held short of Ramp X. While holding short of Ramp X a 757 crossed our path into the ramp; at this point we were not aware of any other traffic nor saw any other aircraft. At that point we called Ramp told them we were holding short of Ramp X for the gate. Ramp Control came back and told us to taxi in left side to the gate. We then entered the ramp and taxied down towards gate. As we were waiting to get parked we sat there approximately 10 minutes when Ramp Control wanted us to call Ground. When we called Ground we were informed that she did not want us to contact ramp and taxi in; she wanted us to wait so she could get another aircraft in before us. She also instructed us that we are not to make that turn until she says so. It is common in other airports as you hold short of a ramp it is expected to call ramp on your own. If the controller would have added in her instruction to hold short of Ramp X and stay with her or hold short of Taxiway Sierra there would have not been any doubt as to not switch frequency and contact Ramp.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.