Method for operating a storage device with a tape and a head wherein the head comprises a first and a second read element. Each read element is operable to detect servo-pattern of a particular servo band. The first and the second read element are arranged such that the tape at first passes one of both read elements and subsequently passes the other of both read elements when the tape moves in a predetermined longitudinal direction. A tape transport direction of the tape along the longitudinal direction is determined. The first read element is selected dependent on the determined tape transport direction, when the determined tape transport direction represents a direction where the tape at first passes the first read element and subsequently the second read element. Otherwise the second read element is selected. A position error signal is determined dependent on the selected read element.