Narrative:

On an IFR flight plan [we] received a clearance to taxi to runway 1R via charlie and hold at zulu; then additional clearance to taxi via zulu and hold at bravo one. While holding at B1 ground control cleared us 'to follow the 757 to our right via taxiway alpha to runway 1R.' as we only had a 747 in view to our right I responded; 'ground do you mean the 747?' ground; 'no there is [a] 757 to follow the 747 who is emerging from your right. Follow that 757 via alpha to runway 1R.' my read back was a bit shaky and rambling as I was still looking for the 757 who was finally coming into view from the gate ramp. 'Roger; I have him now'. Ground; 'just follow that 757 via alpha to 1R.' 'roger'. While following the 757 we were asked to hold on alpha at delta and give way to a 737 crossing alpha to the gate ramp. Then we continued to follow the 757 thinking he was also going to 1R. As we crossed 1L and 1R; still following the 757 the captain realized that we had crossed 2 active runways without clearance. My response was that we followed the 757 as directed. Ground then cleared us to turn right on the next taxiway; lima; and hold short of 1R. Reaching the hold line we switched to the tower frequency and after about 20 minutes the tower controller called with a frequency change back to the ground controller who gave us a number to call when we reached our destination.there are a number of contributing factors. We accepted a 'follow' clearance without knowing that aircraft was going to another runway. We heard no communication between ground and either of the heavies that they were cleared to a different runway. Given the clearance to 'follow' we became so intent on doing just that that we failed to notice alpha made a right turn and we didn't. We have had 'follow' clearances in the past but invariably those aircraft were cleared to the same runway. I feel the word 'follow' created the atmosphere for error when the word 'behind' might have been less distracting.in the future we will not accept a 'follow' clearance unless the controller confirms that aircraft is proceeding to the same runway. We must not for one minute assume that an aircraft we are asked to follow has the same clearance that we have and we must maintain vigilance and pay close attention to the clearance in it's entirety. When on an unfamiliar airport; unless we are unquestionably sure of the clearance; we will request progressives. We cannot; under any circumstance; ever let a mistake of this magnitude happen again.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Small turbojet First Officer reports crossing runways 1L and 1R inadvertently after being cleared to taxi via Taxiway A to Runway 1R behind a B757. The B757 had been cleared to Runway 28L.

Narrative: On an IFR flight plan [we] received a clearance to taxi to Runway 1R via Charlie and hold at Zulu; then additional clearance to taxi via Zulu and hold at Bravo one. While holding at B1 Ground Control cleared us 'to follow the 757 to our right via taxiway Alpha to Runway 1R.' As we only had a 747 in view to our right I responded; 'Ground do you mean the 747?' Ground; 'No there is [a] 757 to follow the 747 who is emerging from your right. Follow that 757 via Alpha to Runway 1R.' My read back was a bit shaky and rambling as I was still looking for the 757 who was finally coming into view from the gate ramp. 'Roger; I have him now'. Ground; 'Just follow that 757 via Alpha to 1R.' 'Roger'. While following the 757 we were asked to hold on Alpha at Delta and give way to a 737 crossing Alpha to the gate ramp. Then we continued to follow the 757 thinking he was also going to 1R. As we crossed 1L and 1R; still following the 757 the Captain realized that we had crossed 2 active runways without clearance. My response was that we followed the 757 as directed. Ground then cleared us to turn right on the next taxiway; Lima; and hold short of 1R. Reaching the hold line we switched to the Tower frequency and after about 20 minutes the Tower Controller called with a frequency change back to the Ground Controller who gave us a number to call when we reached our destination.There are a number of contributing factors. We accepted a 'follow' clearance without knowing that aircraft was going to another runway. We heard no communication between Ground and either of the Heavies that they were cleared to a different runway. Given the clearance to 'follow' we became so intent on doing just that that we failed to notice Alpha made a right turn and we didn't. We have had 'follow' clearances in the past but invariably those aircraft were cleared to the same runway. I feel the word 'follow' created the atmosphere for error when the word 'behind' might have been less distracting.In the future we will not accept a 'follow' clearance unless the Controller confirms that aircraft is proceeding to the same runway. We must not for one minute assume that an aircraft we are asked to follow has the same clearance that we have and we must maintain vigilance and pay close attention to the clearance in it's entirety. When on an unfamiliar airport; unless we are unquestionably sure of the clearance; we will request progressives. We cannot; under any circumstance; ever let a mistake of this magnitude happen again.

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.