Narrative:

I received a flight progress strip from the ground control for air carrier XXXX on a rebas 3 departure. Using that call sign I put the aircraft in position on runway 1L; there was an aircraft in position on runway 1R on a SF8 departure (courses diverge). The aircraft went into position on 1L not changing/correcting the call sign. I then cleared both aircraft for takeoff. Again air carrier XXXX said nothing about it being the wrong call sign. When the aircraft was on the upwind the aircraft asked if he should be on a runway heading; I replied he should be on the RB3 departure. Only then did he advise that he was on the SF8 departure and was air carrier xxyy and enunciated the call sign. A runway heading was coordinated with departure control and the aircraft was switched to departure. Apparently air carrier xxyy had taxied out; went into position and departed all with out instructions/clearances. Having not listened to the recording I cannot verify what call sign the air carrier responded with. Recommendation; increase my read back/hear back awareness. Impress upon pilots that if something is not accurate speak-up; this incident should have been rectified before the aircraft ever left the gate area. The air carrier should be made aware that their use of numerous similar sounding call signs is creating problems.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: SFO Local Controller described a conflict involving parallel Runway 1L/1R air carrier departures; the reporter indicated one aircraft had repeatedly responded to the wrong call sign which lead to routing confusion.

Narrative: I received a flight progress strip from the Ground Control for Air Carrier XXXX on a REBAS 3 departure. Using that call sign I put the aircraft in position on Runway 1L; there was an aircraft in position on Runway 1R on a SF8 departure (courses diverge). The aircraft went into position on 1L not changing/correcting the call sign. I then cleared both aircraft for takeoff. Again Air Carrier XXXX said nothing about it being the wrong call sign. When the aircraft was on the upwind the aircraft asked if he should be on a runway heading; I replied he should be on the RB3 departure. Only then did he advise that he was on the SF8 departure and was Air Carrier XXYY and enunciated the call sign. A runway heading was coordinated with Departure Control and the aircraft was switched to departure. Apparently Air Carrier XXYY had taxied out; went into position and departed all with out instructions/clearances. Having not listened to the recording I cannot verify what call sign the Air Carrier responded with. Recommendation; increase my read back/hear back awareness. Impress upon pilots that if something is not accurate speak-up; this incident should have been rectified before the aircraft ever left the gate area. The Air Carrier should be made aware that their use of numerous similar sounding call signs is creating problems.

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.