Narrative:

I called ramp for pushback clearance and they cleared us to push for east taxi. I heard the captain tell the push crew to push for east taxi. I was checking final weights when ramp called and said we needed to push for east taxi. At that point both captain and I realized they were pushing us to face west. Ramp controller decided we could complete our push facing west and that it would coordinate taxi with ground and we were still going to 19L but with an initial west taxi. The captain made a comment to me that he could easily make a 180 onto C and go east because we were so light (we were sitting on D facing west). After engine start ramp cleared us to turn right onto C and taxi to a taxiway spot. Captain and I looked at each others and thought the controller changed his mind and decided for the 180 going east (big case of expectation bias from our part). After we completed the 180 ramp controller complained we had communication problems. He wanted us to proceed west on C (he meant shallow right turn to swing over from D to C). Captain used minimum thrust during the 180 and was at idle when the airplane tail was facing the terminal (using momentum). Lesson learn: first officer keep an eye out during push to make sure the tail is going where it's suppose to go. When a controller seems to be changing his mind from previously stated intention question him (make no assumption). I have to say I was so sure he meant 180 when he said right turn. There was no question in my mind. It makes you think.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A B767-300 was clear to push back for an IAD east departure but the ground crew pushed for a west departure. The Captain made a 180 turn contrary to the Ramp Controller's instructions.

Narrative: I called Ramp for pushback clearance and they cleared us to push for east taxi. I heard the Captain tell the push crew to push for east taxi. I was checking final weights when Ramp called and said we needed to push for east taxi. At that point both Captain and I realized they were pushing us to face west. Ramp Controller decided we could complete our push facing west and that it would coordinate taxi with Ground and we were still going to 19L but with an initial west taxi. The Captain made a comment to me that he could easily make a 180 onto C and go east because we were so light (we were sitting on D facing west). After engine start Ramp cleared us to turn right onto C and taxi to a taxiway spot. Captain and I looked at each others and thought the Controller changed his mind and decided for the 180 going east (big case of expectation bias from our part). After we completed the 180 Ramp Controller complained we had communication problems. He wanted us to proceed west on C (he meant shallow right turn to swing over from D to C). Captain used minimum thrust during the 180 and was at idle when the airplane tail was facing the terminal (using momentum). Lesson learn: First Officer keep an eye out during push to make sure the tail is going where it's suppose to go. When a Controller seems to be changing his mind from previously stated intention question him (make no assumption). I have to say I was so sure he meant 180 when he said right turn. There was no question in my mind. It makes you think.

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.