Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Human Factors
We were cleared to 'line up and wait' on Runway 35L. Since a Heavy cargo jet was departing 35C I knew we would have an approximately 2 minute spacing delay so I taxied slowly across the hold line to avoid a prolonged wait in position at night. While doing so I looked out the First Officer window and saw that the aircraft cleared for the approach and landing to Runway 35C seemed to be lined up with our (Runway 35L) instead. I stopped the aircraft and asked the First Officer 'are they landing on OUR runway?' Without skipping a beat; the First Officer picked up the microphone and asked the Tower which runway the approaching aircraft was going to use for landing. One second later; the Tower Controller asked the flight which runway they were using for landing. One second later they replied 'Runway 35C.' Two seconds later Tower told them to go around which they did. The airplane over flew us about 300 FT (according to our TCAS readout.) We then continued to taxi onto Runway 35L centerline to 'line up and wait.' About a minute later Tower cleared us for takeoff. The remainder of the flight proceeded without incident. I saw the charred wreckage of the B737 that landed on Runway 24L at LAX at night; unfortunately landing on top of a Commuter aircraft. That was some 20 years ago. I have since been reluctant to be quick about taxiing onto a runway at night and just waiting there. When I taxied onto the runway I went straight out so I could put the nose wheel slightly across the centerline and then make a smooth left turn back to the centerline to avoid wasting concrete. Yeah; I know there are two miles of it out there - it's just a habit of mine. When I saw this possible conflict; I was beginning to turn left back to the centerline. When I stopped; I was at a 45 degree angle to the centerline and turned both landing lights and nose light to bright. I did that because I thought the asymmetry of our aircraft and the lights shining ACROSS the runway at an angle would make us an easier object to spot. It apparently did not. It would have been nice if the TCAS alert could have been a help. It of course gave no warning.
Air Carrier Captain reports being instructed by the Tower to line up and wait on Runway 35L and notices that the aircraft on final appears to be lined up with that runway. The Tower is queried and the aircraft on final is sent around.