Narrative:

We got a full route clearance before departure. We were never assigned a departure; a first for me out of lax. We were given heading 250. Radar vector to exert V-25 rzs as filed. We were climbing between 8;000 to 9;000 ft and on the heading of 250 for quite a ways. Finally socal departure cleared us direct 'hector and contact center on (I thought) 125.5.' I read my clearance back as direct hector and the frequency 125.5. I found that after I read back the clearance to direct hector; that it was odd; since it was not on our route. Both of us heard it as direct hector (hec). I figured I can ask the next controller for clarification. I switched over to check in with center frequency 125.5 quickly came back; 'you have the wrong frequency and check back with your previous frequency.' while this was going on; the captain (who was hand flying; not on autopilot); decided to type in the fix for direct hec on his own and started to make a quick right turn to hector (which was about 020 degrees heading from our position.) I said; 'what are you doing?!' captain said; I am turning direct hector. (As per company procedures; since he was hand flying; I am supposed to put in the fix and he is supposed to verify it is correct; and then I click enter and LNAV direct.' by me quickly asking him; we stopped on the heading of 300 degrees or so. I quickly then switched back to the original frequency; and immediately asked socal; 'do you really want us to fly to direct hector?' he said; 'no. Direct exert.' (we both heard him say hector.) so I punched in exert; after I verified with the captain it was entered properly in the FMC (which was pretty much west from our present position); and then asked again for the proper frequency. He told us; 135.5. He did not sound upset. No aircraft was near us. All of this happened very fast. If the captain had used proper procedures; this would not have happened. I was distracted; trying to watch him 'hand fly' the jet; making sure he did not mess up. I wish I had asked socal departure; why direct hector or something like that. But I knew it was in the area; and sometimes controllers change their minds and have you go some other route. If the captain had told me he put in hector; I could have said; wait; let me call for sure to see if this is correct. But he kept me out of his loop. It is scary how fast things can get messed up on a relatively easy.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 First Officer describes a misunderstood clearance from Departure Control that results in a track deviation when the Captain enters and turns toward the fix before the First Officer can verify the route with the next Controller.

Narrative: We got a full route clearance before departure. We were never assigned a departure; a first for me out of LAX. We were given heading 250. Radar vector to EXERT V-25 RZS as filed. We were climbing between 8;000 to 9;000 FT and on the heading of 250 for quite a ways. Finally SoCal Departure cleared us direct 'HECTOR and contact Center on (I thought) 125.5.' I read my clearance back as direct HECTOR and the frequency 125.5. I found that after I read back the clearance to direct HECTOR; that it was odd; since it was not on our route. Both of us heard it as direct HECTOR (HEC). I figured I can ask the next Controller for clarification. I switched over to check in with Center frequency 125.5 quickly came back; 'you have the wrong frequency and check back with your previous frequency.' While this was going on; the Captain (who was hand flying; not on autopilot); decided to type in the fix for direct HEC on his own and started to make a quick right turn to HECTOR (which was about 020 degrees heading from our position.) I said; 'What are you doing?!' Captain said; I am turning direct Hector. (As per company procedures; since he was hand flying; I am supposed to put in the fix and he is supposed to verify it is correct; and then I click ENTER and LNAV direct.' By me quickly asking him; we stopped on the heading of 300 degrees or so. I quickly then switched back to the original frequency; and immediately asked SoCal; 'Do you really want us to fly to direct HECTOR?' He said; 'No. Direct EXERT.' (We both heard him say Hector.) So I punched in EXERT; after I verified with the Captain it was entered properly in the FMC (which was pretty much west from our present position); and then asked again for the proper frequency. He told us; 135.5. He did not sound upset. No aircraft was near us. All of this happened very fast. If the Captain had used proper procedures; this would not have happened. I was distracted; trying to watch him 'hand fly' the jet; making sure he did not mess up. I wish I had asked SoCal Departure; why direct HECTOR or something like that. But I knew it was in the area; and sometimes controllers change their minds and have you go some other route. If the Captain had told me he put in HECTOR; I could have said; wait; let me call for sure to see if this is correct. But he kept me out of his loop. It is scary how fast things can get messed up on a relatively easy.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 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.