Widebody; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 195; Flight Crew Total 10119; Flight Crew Type 6143
Fatigue; Human-Machine Interface; Time Pressure
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Weight And Balance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Chart Or Publication; Company Policy; Manuals
We were departing VHHH.  It was our 7th day of the trip.  The new 'old' procedure of taxiing before takeoff weights and data is received was now active.  I requested the takeoff data for runway 25L several times after receiving final weights and they did not come.  We began to taxi.  I was heads down from the moment of taxi until we reached the runway holding point dealing with dispatch to get the weights/speeds and in particular; the new checklist.  I was no help as a look out or giving directions during the whole taxi. I am of the opinion that the old way was more safe and a better way to do things.   We are usually on the backside of the clock and not as sharp as we think we are.  Most incidents occur on the ground these days and I think this new procedure is going to increase them.  Any savings in time or fuel is going to be wiped out by bent metal.
A First Officer reports that he was 'heads down' from the moment of taxi until reaching the runway holding point. As such; he was not able to aid the Captain during taxi. He attributes the problem to the new company policy to begin taxiing before receipt of the final weights.