Narrative:

After completing deicing; we called ground for taxi clearance. First officer and I both understood 'follow air carrier X on taxiway for runway 17R. We followed another air carrier X until he pulled over to an off gate parking area. We then were able to see beyond the air carrier X and air carrier Y inbound on taxiway. Obviously this was not going to work; so I stopped airplane and mid ramp and set parking brake. About this time; ground called and asked 'if we were still with them' so we answered affirmatively. We were told to contact ramp and give a frequency. After being dressed down by ramp control; we were cleared through on taxiway and to contact ground at the normal exit spot. No aircraft clearance or opportunity for aircraft damage ever occurred. Study of possible taxi routes from deice station; told us that most probably another taxiway to runway 17R would be expected. We received the clearance expected; and went on our way. At no time did first officer or myself hear an instruction to contact ramp; or given a frequency. This was my first time on the denver airport. First time deicing on a 737; so my attention was give to those two details. In hindsight; it would make sense to contact ramp; but having been on ground in a departure; I was ready to continue on ground frequency then on to tower.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier is counseled by ramp control regarding taxi procedures with respect to ramp vs. ATC operations; reporter noting unfamiliarity with airport and procedures as causal factors.

Narrative: After completing deicing; we called ground for taxi clearance. First Officer and I both understood 'follow ACR X on Taxiway for Runway 17R. We followed another ACR X until he pulled over to an off gate parking area. We then were able to see beyond the ACR X and ACR Y inbound on Taxiway. Obviously this was not going to work; so I stopped airplane and mid ramp and set parking brake. About this time; Ground called and asked 'if we were still with them' so we answered affirmatively. We were told to contact ramp and give a frequency. After being dressed down by Ramp Control; we were cleared through on Taxiway and to contact Ground at the normal exit spot. No aircraft clearance or opportunity for aircraft damage ever occurred. Study of possible taxi routes from deice station; told us that most probably another taxiway to Runway 17R would be expected. We received the clearance expected; and went on our way. At no time did First Officer or myself hear an instruction to contact ramp; or given a frequency. This was my first time on the Denver airport. First time deicing on a 737; so my attention was give to those two details. In hindsight; it would make sense to contact Ramp; but having been on Ground in a departure; I was ready to continue on Ground frequency then on to Tower.

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.