B737 Next Generation Undifferentiated
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Distraction; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure
Cleared into position and wait [Runway] 16R and state whether aircraft ahead departing in sight. We replied the aircraft in sight. [We] cleared for takeoff as aircraft ahead lifting off. As soon as we were cleared for takeoff aircraft behind us instructed to line up and wait and call us in sight. We began our takeoff roll; approaching 70 KTS SLC Tower cleared the aircraft in position for takeoff. Our Vr speed was 150 KTS and we were nearly full. Had we aborted it may have resulted in a catastrophic accident had the aircraft behind us not stopped as we were both occupying the same runway for an extended period of time as we accelerated toward Vr.  ATC [was] rushing to depart aircraft. There were no aircraft landing on our runway; only departures. An unsafe practice by SLC Tower.
SLC Tower cleared a B737 for takeoff while the aircraft ahead was still on the runway. Then as the B737 accelerated beyond 70 KTS; the following aircraft was cleared for takeoff. An abort would have caused a serious problem.