Originally Posted by
Intruder
Not true in general. Pushback and start clearances are required at many US airports. For example, at LAX I've received clearance for pushback, but hold start until some other aircraft cleared...
Start clearances are a rarity in the US. Judging from the size of the cargo ramp in question, I am virtually certain that there would be no one to issue a start clearance or a pushback clearance there. The first interaction the aircraft would have with any type of required control is Ground on the movement area, and it's several plane lengths from where the ramp ends and movement area begins, to the runway; leaving too little time for anyone to react after eyebrows being raised. Bottom line, there's nothing odd looking here.