Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 171; Flight Crew Total 7590
Situational Awareness; Distraction; Communication Breakdown; Workload
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy; Chart Or Publication; Procedure
The before takeoff checklist that has been employed is unsafe. My FO is heads down during most critical periods of the taxi out. The FO cannot assist in checking ATC instructions; taxi progress and overall management of the aircraft while he/she is loaded up with an 11 point checklist before we take the runway. While I am taxiing the aircraft; I cannot cross check those 11 items completely; so good and safe CRM has been replaced for an unsafe scenario before we have even taken off. Furthermore; there is no item on the before push checklist for the beacon to be on. Most airlines have such a note so people on the ramp know that the aircraft is ready or in motion. The after start checklist has no item for selecting flaps. Why would you not want to know that the expected flap setting has been selected by the gate where maintenance can have ready access of the aircraft?Evidently; it has been decided in some office that this checklist is sufficient for safety and efficiency. Earlier checklists had everything complete and called for with minimal items required before takeoff or taxi. This references the integration/merger of the two companies here. Old ways are being reintroduced in dogmatic fashion that most likely do not even compare to the manufacturers procedures. This new checklist diverts the FO from assisting the Captain for the threats that he/she is there for; among others. If anything should be added to the before takeoff checklist; it would be a reminder/mention of what the engine out procedure requires for that runway; in case there is a loss of power. The takeoff data actually has that at the bottom of the print out for the particular runway. What a safe feature; but this normal checklist is not.
An Air Carrier Captain reported that following a corporate merger; the Before Takeoff Checklist revision requires the First Officer be heads down to complete 11 items which the Captain is unable to verify because of his/her required tasks.