Air carrier captain voiced concern regarding the companies use of similar four digit call signs.

Attributes
ACN	868780
Time
Date	201001
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	MSP.Airport
State Reference	MN
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B757 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Taxi
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 75 Flight Crew Total 17000 Flight Crew Type 4000
Events
Anomaly	Deviation - Procedural Clearance

Narrative:

Too many similar call signs! We; air carrier XXXX; were taxiing out for takeoff on runway 17. As we crossed runway 12R tower instructed company aircraft xxyx to taxi into position and hold on runway 12R; as we were taxiing west on 'west' tower instructed us that we were cleared for takeoff. Before we could respond; company aircraft xxyx answered our instructions and began their takeoff on runway 12R. Company aircraft xxzx and xxwx were also on the tower frequency. Msp tower immediately told company aircraft xxyx that takeoff instructions were not for them; and they promptly pulled back the power. The 4 digit call signs at this airline are cumbersome; and many are too similar. Something needs to be done as soon as possible before we have an accident/incident.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air Carrier captain voiced concern regarding the companies use of similar four digit call signs.

Narrative: Too many similar call signs! We; Air Carrier XXXX; were taxiing out for takeoff on Runway 17. As we crossed Runway 12R Tower instructed Company Aircraft XXYX to taxi into position and hold on Runway 12R; as we were taxiing West on 'W' tower instructed us that we were cleared for takeoff. Before we could respond; Company Aircraft XXYX answered our instructions and began their takeoff on Runway 12R. Company Aircraft XXZX and XXWX were also on the tower frequency. MSP Tower immediately told Company Aircraft XXYX that takeoff instructions were not for them; and they promptly pulled back the power. The 4 digit call signs at this airline are cumbersome; and many are too similar. Something needs to be done ASAP before we have an accident/incident.

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.