Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150; Flight Crew Type 1200
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Distraction; Workload
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Staffing; Company Policy; Human Factors; Procedure
We struggled to even get in a pushback call on Hobby Tower frequency. It was busy with high volume takeoff and landing and ground movements. We had briefed a taxi out from Gate to Runway 4. Tower and Ground were combined. The airport was using Runway 4 for takeoff and landing. Our first instructions from a very busy Tower Controller were unexpected. Tower said taxi via [Taxiway] Z; hold short [Taxiway] D. We had no way to ask for clarification. The frequency was very congested. Our role seemed to be to clear the alley to allow inbound company aircraft. The pace that the tower controller was speaking was impressive and very busy. Other Company seemed to be confused on the radio along with our crew. The pace was something you hear on LGA Ground frequency.We were issued further taxi instructions to follow Company to Runway 4. We verified our crossing clearances across [Runway] 13L and R. We discussed that the controller was in the Yellow. We used extra vigilance during this crowded taxi out to Runway 4. The pace never relented for the controller. He was doing a great job. But the situation was excessive for a routine departure out of our always bustling Hobby airport. It came as no surprise to us that we were cleared for takeoff on Runway 4; even though we were #2 in the lineup. We instantly questioned this; and our clearance was canceled. This seemed like a minor error to us; but it was confirmation that the professional controller was indeed in the Yellow. We departed minutes later without incident.Staff this busy airport with the correct amount of controllers. Loading up flight crews in this critical phase of flight over weak staffing is hazardous. I'm not sure if the guy was alone up there. He was really doing a great job. We know as crews; when the controllers are overloaded; we try to not make the situation worse with fumbled radio calls. The airport was operating in the Yellow; any small non-normal from an aircraft on the frequency could have made things go bad very quickly. We could have waited to move from our pushback into the alley until the radio calmed down
An Air Carrier pilot reported the tower controller was overloaded with traffic while working Local and Ground Control combined when they were cleared for takeoff even though they were number two in the departure lineup. The pilot stated this airport needs to be staffed with more controllers.;