Narrative:

We were on taxiway east east bound for runway 28C. The taxi checklist was conducted; the tower frequency was tuned and the takeoff check called for. As these items were being completed we passed what I thought to be an ILS hold line; the first officer looked up just as we passed the line and questioned what type of hold line it was. We determined that it was in fact an approach hold; not an ILS hold (there is no ILS to this runway). We were at this time still on the taxiway; but in no-mans land none the less. The tower cleared us for takeoff; we continued to taxi down to the runway end; into position and then took off. This was the first officer's first trip to pit (and we dead-headed in) and my third in four years so we both thoroughly reviewed all pertinent information and discussed all aspects of the departure. We then encountered an unusual configuration at a busy time with the approach hold line located a few hundred yards up the taxiway from the runway end. When I looked up and saw the line the runway end was still quite distant; in the busyness of the moment I made a bad assumption. The reason for the hold line being located were it is is unclear; but it seems very 'out of place.' conditions were excellent and the only causal factor was captain error. However; a simple note in the airport information pages would provide ample warning of the unusual configuration.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An air carrier crew crossed the PIT Runway 28C hold short line at the HOLDING POSITION SIGN on Taxiway E.

Narrative: We were on Taxiway E east bound for Runway 28C. The Taxi Checklist was conducted; the tower frequency was tuned and the Takeoff Check called for. As these items were being completed we passed what I thought to be an ILS hold line; the First Officer looked up just as we passed the line and questioned what type of hold line it was. We determined that it was in fact an APPROACH HOLD; not an ILS hold (there is no ILS to this Runway). We were at this time still on the taxiway; but in no-mans land none the less. The Tower cleared us for takeoff; we continued to taxi down to the runway end; into position and then took off. This was the First Officer's first trip to PIT (and we dead-headed in) and my third in four years so we both thoroughly reviewed all pertinent information and discussed all aspects of the departure. We then encountered an unusual configuration at a busy time with the APPROACH HOLD line located a few hundred yards up the taxiway from the runway end. When I looked up and saw the line the runway end was still quite distant; in the busyness of the moment I made a bad assumption. The reason for the hold line being located were it is is unclear; but it seems very 'out of place.' Conditions were excellent and the only causal factor was Captain error. However; a simple note in the airport information pages would provide ample warning of the unusual configuration.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.