Date: 201203
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: TOA.Airport, CA
Flight conditions: VMC
Weather elements / visibility: 10
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Retractable Gear
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: VFR
Mission: Personal
Flight phase: Taxi
ATC / advisory: Ground TOA
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Single Pilot
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Other / Unknown; Communication Breakdown
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control
When detected: Taxi
Result: General None Reported / Taken
Contributing factors: Procedure
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: I had just landed at TOA from a Visual Approach to Runway 11L. I was told to exit on Taxiway Hotel and contact Ground. Upon exiting the runway on Taxiway Hotel; I contacted TOA Ground. I requested taxi to the general aviation terminal. I was issued a taxi clearance of: 'Taxi via Alpha; Foxtrot to the terminal.' I proceeded straight ahead on Taxiway Hotel to Alpha; and then Foxtrot to the terminal. As I was pulling into the parking space; Ground Control said the Tower Manager would like to speak to me. I took down the Tower phone number; confused at what I had done wrong. When I called the Tower; the Supervisor stated that I should have stopped at the 'Approach Zone' bars for Runway 11R. He said that no aircraft deviation or separation event had occurred; but that I should have stopped at the 'Approach Zone' and asked Ground Control for clearance to cross the 'Approach Zone.' I told the Tower Manager that I was given a taxi clearance ultimately to the general aviation terminal; with no 'hold short' instructions. It is my understanding of the FAA AIM that unless I am told to 'hold short' somewhere I am able to taxi to the final destination and cross any and all holding areas. According the AIM 4-13-18 Section (8); it states: 'If a pilot is expected to hold short of a runway approach (APCH) area or ILS holding position (see FIG 2-3-15; taxiways located in runway approach area); ATC will issue instructions.' And also AIM 2-3-5 Section (a)(3) states regarding APPCH Zone Signs: 'This marking is collocated with the runway approach area holding position sign. When specifically instructed by ATC; 'Hold short of (runway xx approach area);' the pilot should stop so no part of the aircraft extends beyond the holding position marking.' Again; neither the Tower nor Ground Control ever requested me to hold short of the Runway 11R approach area. When I explained this to the Tower Supervisor over the phone; he stated to me; 'That is the way we do it here;' and 'We just expect all pilot's to hold short of hold bars and request a clearance to cross.' I think this is a real safety hazard because I feel that TOA is deviating from the FAR/AIM. Every other airport I go into has never issued me a clearance to somewhere on the airfield that crosses hold bars and not say 'Hold short at (XX) Runway or APPCH Zone;' if they wanted me to hold short. I assume that if I am cleared to somewhere passed those areas on the airfield; that I do not have to stop at them unless issued a clearance to stop at them.




Synopsis: Aircraft landing at TOA was questioned by ATC because of his failure to stop at the 'Approach Zone' hold bars for Runway 11R even after ATC had issued instructions to the terminal.