Narrative:

We were given taxi instructions to runway 6R and hold short. As we approached 6R we were given instructions to hold short. Next clearance from tower was position and hold runway 6R; first officer read back 'position and hold runway 6R'. The captain and international relief officer both confirmed position and hold 6R clearance from tower. We entered runway 6R checking for traffic left and right seeing aircraft on a far final. We stopped on the runway and completed our before take-off checklist. After waiting a while; tower then told us; 'I did not tell you to position and hold I said hold your position.' the first officer said; no you said 'position and hold runway 6R'. There was another pause. Tower now said 'stand by; stand by'; another pause; then tower asks the aircraft on long final if they could land on runway 6L; the aircraft said unable. Then tower issued a go around; the aircraft asking which way to turn for the go around. Tower then clears us to take off. We respond to the take off clearance. As we were powering up; ATC canceled our take off clearance; another pause; and then the tower said taxi off runway via A12 to lima. We complied with instructions and called ground. The captain then asked how long it was going to take. He was told to stand by. A minute went by and ground then instructed us to taxi to the runway. As we near the runway we were given take off clearance; which we read back. Cause [was] possible new controller using wrong terminology; or a language issue. If and when towers use old terminology like position and hold; we should verify did you want us to line up and wait?

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An Air Carrier awaiting take off at a foreign airport was issued 'position and hold Runway 6R'; entered the runway and was then questioned by ATC regarding an unauthorized runway entry.

Narrative: We were given taxi instructions to Runway 6R and hold short. As we approached 6R we were given instructions to hold short. Next clearance from Tower was position and hold Runway 6R; First Officer read back 'position and hold Runway 6R'. The Captain and IRO both confirmed position and hold 6R clearance from Tower. We entered Runway 6R checking for traffic left and right seeing aircraft on a far final. We stopped on the runway and completed our before take-off checklist. After waiting a while; Tower then told us; 'I did not tell you to position and hold I said hold your position.' The First Officer said; no you said 'Position and hold Runway 6R'. There was another pause. Tower now said 'stand by; stand by'; another pause; then Tower asks the aircraft on long final if they could land on Runway 6L; the aircraft said unable. Then Tower issued a go around; the aircraft asking which way to turn for the go around. Tower then clears us to take off. We respond to the take off clearance. As we were powering up; ATC canceled our take off clearance; another pause; and then the Tower said taxi off runway via A12 to Lima. We complied with instructions and called Ground. The Captain then asked how long it was going to take. He was told to stand by. A minute went by and Ground then instructed us to taxi to the runway. As we near the runway we were given take off clearance; which we read back. Cause [was] possible new controller using wrong terminology; or a language issue. If and when Towers use old terminology like Position and Hold; we should verify did you want us to line up and wait?

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.