Narrative:

After landing the tower controller told me 'you can reverse; taxi to (FBO); with me'. He never mentioned any taxiway or hi-speed exit; just 'reverse'. I assumed he meant I can course reverse (back taxi) on the runway. I made a 180 turn and proceeded to the next taxiway. Just before reaching the taxiway he called me on the radio again and told me 'when I say reverse I mean use the reverse high-speed exit; it's all good for now; taxi to (FBO) and contact clearance on your way out.' I apologized and went on my way. There was no loss of separation; or any kind of evasive action taken by anyone but I could clearly see two airplanes lined up on the approach for that runway (I'm estimating 10 miles out).I think part of the reason for this situation is the fact that ATC is so used to us. We fly here [very often]; usually night time and they are giving us instructions in an abbreviated form. Skipping taxiway names is common. Most of our pilots had been with the company for 10 plus years. I'm a new hire; barely 4 months of flying single pilot IFR into big class B airports. Tower controllers developed an 'understanding' over the years with our pilots. They know when we park and how and when we operate and they are very; say; 'efficient' on the radio. Anyway I've learned my lesson. If that controller had included anything about a taxiway it would have prevented the whole situation. 'Reverse next high speed' or 'reverse the yankee to parking' or even name the high speed taxiway.

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Turboprop pilot reported receiving abbreviated and unclear taxi instructions after landing at IAD.

Narrative: After landing the tower controller told me 'You can reverse; taxi to (FBO); with me'. He never mentioned any taxiway or hi-speed exit; just 'reverse'. I assumed he meant I can course reverse (back taxi) on the runway. I made a 180 turn and proceeded to the next taxiway. Just before reaching the taxiway he called me on the radio again and told me 'When I say reverse I mean use the reverse high-speed exit; it's all good for now; taxi to (FBO) and contact clearance on your way out.' I apologized and went on my way. There was no loss of separation; or any kind of evasive action taken by anyone but I could clearly see two airplanes lined up on the approach for that runway (I'm estimating 10 miles out).I think part of the reason for this situation is the fact that ATC is so used to us. We fly here [very often]; usually night time and they are giving us instructions in an abbreviated form. Skipping taxiway names is common. Most of our pilots had been with the company for 10 plus years. I'm a new hire; barely 4 months of flying single pilot IFR into big Class B airports. Tower controllers developed an 'understanding' over the years with our pilots. They know when we park and how and when we operate and they are very; say; 'efficient' on the radio. Anyway I've learned my lesson. If that controller had included anything about a taxiway it would have prevented the whole situation. 'Reverse next high speed' or 'reverse the Yankee to parking' or even name the high speed taxiway.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.