Narrative:

Upon arrival to kord we received ATC ground instructions to taxi to the gate. From a taxiway; I contacted ord ramp control and we were instructed to enter on the bravo-line for taxi to the gate. It should be noted when we tuned to ramp frequency; the controller was arguing with several air crews. Once on the bravo-line; we stopped movement due to four 737's all pushed from their gates and stopped. Captain asked me to request transition to the charlie-line (on the west side; which was clear of any aircraft).in my transmission I stated 'ramp; aircraft x-- there are several planes stopped on the bravo-line. Can we transition to the charlie-line?' ramp control quickly responded; 'you can't taxi to your gate from the charlie-line! Continue on bravo-line; just stay as tight as you can!' both captain and I interpreted this as instruction to taxi around the stopped aircraft in front of us; holding as tightly the bravo-line as possible. I immediately began to monitor the frequency listed for the charlie-line ramp control; but as that area was completely clear of traffic; we both assumed this was where we were told to taxi.we had proceeded past all of the parked aircraft (approximately 6-8 aircraft lengths) when bravo-line ramp control began shouting 'aircraft X! What are you doing?? Where are you going?' I replied; 'we're continuing to taxi on bravo-line as tight as we can; aircraft X.' ramp again shouted; 'aircraft X; what you are doing?? Where are you going??' at this point; captain replied on frequency 'we're doing exactly what you told us to do.' ramp continued; 'aircraft X; this is totally not safe; transition to the charlie line; hold short [gate] charlie!'we proceeded as instructed and were then given a phone number to call. After being held in place for a few minutes; we were given instructions to taxi to our gate. Once the flight was completed and the shutdown checklist completed; captain called the number and spoke to; I believe; the ramp controller.it was unclear what exactly ramp control wanted us to do. The controller; based on his tone and arguing with other air crews; was having a stressful time. In hindsight; it is difficult for me to think both captain and I would both misinterpret instructions that would have kept us stationary on the bravo-line. I would suggest 'pulling the tapes' from the evening in question and reviewing for how all parties can avoid such an event in the future.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: CRJ-200 flight crew reported a ramp issue due to congestion and misunderstanding the Ramp Controller's instructions.

Narrative: Upon arrival to KORD we received ATC Ground instructions to taxi to the gate. From A Taxiway; I contacted ORD Ramp Control and we were instructed to enter on the Bravo-Line for taxi to the gate. It should be noted when we tuned to ramp frequency; the controller was arguing with several air crews. Once on the Bravo-Line; we stopped movement due to four 737's all pushed from their gates and stopped. Captain asked me to request transition to the Charlie-Line (on the West side; which was clear of any aircraft).In my transmission I stated 'Ramp; Aircraft X-- There are several planes stopped on the Bravo-Line. Can we transition to the Charlie-Line?' Ramp control quickly responded; 'You can't taxi to your gate from the Charlie-Line! Continue on Bravo-Line; just stay as tight as you can!' Both Captain and I interpreted this as instruction to taxi around the stopped aircraft in front of us; holding as tightly the Bravo-Line as possible. I immediately began to monitor the frequency listed for the Charlie-Line ramp control; but as that area was completely clear of traffic; we both assumed this was where we were told to taxi.We had proceeded past all of the parked aircraft (approximately 6-8 aircraft lengths) when Bravo-Line Ramp Control began shouting 'Aircraft X! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?? WHERE ARE YOU GOING?' I replied; 'We're continuing to taxi on Bravo-Line as tight as we can; Aircraft X.' Ramp again shouted; 'Aircraft X; WHAT YOU ARE DOING?? WHERE ARE YOU GOING??' At this point; Captain replied on frequency 'We're doing EXACTLY what you told us to do.' Ramp continued; 'Aircraft X; THIS IS TOTALLY NOT SAFE; TRANSITION TO THE CHARLIE LINE; HOLD SHORT [gate] CHARLIE!'We proceeded as instructed and were then given a phone number to call. After being held in place for a few minutes; we were given instructions to taxi to our gate. Once the flight was completed and the Shutdown Checklist completed; Captain called the number and spoke to; I believe; the Ramp Controller.It was unclear what exactly Ramp Control wanted us to do. The controller; based on his tone and arguing with other air crews; was having a stressful time. In hindsight; it is difficult for me to think both Captain and I would both misinterpret instructions that would have kept us stationary on the Bravo-Line. I would suggest 'pulling the tapes' from the evening in question and reviewing for how all parties can avoid such an event in the future.

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.