Narrative:

We contacted sdf ground control requesting taxi clearance for takeoff. We were cleared to taxi to runway 17L via charlie; gulf; lima; november; cross two-niner; hold short of foxtrot. We began taxiing down charlie. Unfortunately; we did not hold short of taxiway foxtrot. Foxtrot is prior to runway 29. After noticing our error; we queried the controller; asking if we could continue taxiing to 17L. The controller concurred with that and did not mention anything about us not stopping prior to taxiway foxtrot. Things that I believe contributed to this error [were] (4 items): 1) obviously; we (as a crew) should have confirmed where foxtrot was before starting to taxi. 2) I am concerned with the way the clearance was read to us. I wonder if the controller stated the clearance correctly. My deepest concern is why clear an aircraft to cross a runway and then issue a hold short point which takes place before the crossing of that runway? This misleads the crew thinking that the hold short point is 'after' the crossing of the runway (in this case sdf's runway 29). Why does ATC not issue the runway that you are assigned and then after that 'only' state the clearance up to the point of where you are asked to hold; i.e. Stating it in a manner such as; 'runway 17L...for now; taxi via charlie; hold short of foxtrot'? By doing that; there is no 'awkward/confusing' information (the clearance to cross 29; yet we have to hold short of foxtrot; first.) given. We would taxi up to and hold short of foxtrot and then the ground controller would give us the next set of instructions (either to proceed to the next 'hold short' spot or the clearance to go the rest of the way to the runway). 3) it was a very busy morning for us and although I didn't feel overwhelmed; it just seemed that a lot was going on. A) captain was given the assignment very late and got to the plane just prior to the scheduled departure time. B) in the end; we were delayed by loading of the aircraft (most likely all due to the rainy conditions). C) there were some concerns that I might 'time out' and be unable to do the flight. 4) some obscured visibility on the windows due to the rain.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air Carrier departing from SDF experienced confusion regarding the clearance issued by Ground Control.

Narrative: We contacted SDF Ground Control requesting taxi clearance for takeoff. We were cleared to taxi to Runway 17L via Charlie; Gulf; Lima; November; cross two-niner; hold short of Foxtrot. We began taxiing down Charlie. Unfortunately; we did not hold short of taxiway Foxtrot. Foxtrot is prior to Runway 29. After noticing our error; we queried the Controller; asking if we could continue taxiing to 17L. The Controller concurred with that and did not mention anything about us not stopping prior to Taxiway Foxtrot. Things that I believe contributed to this error [were] (4 items): 1) Obviously; we (as a crew) should have confirmed where Foxtrot was before starting to taxi. 2) I am concerned with the way the clearance was read to us. I wonder if the Controller stated the clearance correctly. My deepest concern is why clear an aircraft to cross a runway and then issue a hold short point which takes place before the crossing of that runway? This misleads the crew thinking that the hold short point is 'after' the crossing of the runway (in this case SDF's Runway 29). Why does ATC not issue the runway that you are assigned and then after that 'only' state the clearance up to the point of where you are asked to hold; i.e. stating it in a manner such as; 'Runway 17L...for now; taxi via Charlie; hold short of Foxtrot'? By doing that; there is no 'awkward/confusing' information (the clearance to cross 29; yet we have to hold short of Foxtrot; first.) given. We would taxi up to and hold short of Foxtrot and then the Ground Controller would give us the next set of instructions (either to proceed to the next 'hold short' spot or the clearance to go the rest of the way to the runway). 3) It was a very busy morning for us and although I didn't feel overwhelmed; it just seemed that a lot was going on. A) Captain was given the assignment very late and got to the plane just prior to the scheduled departure time. B) In the end; we were delayed by loading of the aircraft (most likely all due to the rainy conditions). C) There were some concerns that I might 'time out' and be unable to do the flight. 4) Some obscured visibility on the windows due to the rain.

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.