Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 180; Flight Crew Type 2000
Workload
ATC Issue All Types
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure
I am writing this report to bring attention to the second departure frequency out of MDW last night. It is a safety issue to give us two frequency changes below 3;000 feet on departure out of MDW.We were in a heavy [aircraft] doing a full power; flaps 25; bleeds off takeoff off of 22L. These takeoffs are known to have very high climb rates; so the intermediate level-off of 3;000 feet approaches fast. At 1;000 feet; we're instructed to contact Departure on 128.2. Simultaneously; I switch frequencies and retract flaps as commanded by the pilot flying. Upon checking in with 128.2; he instructs us to climb and maintain 4;000 feet and subsequently contact 126.62. I dial in 4;000 feet and continue to retract flaps while monitoring a level-off from a climb rate of over 2;000 FPM. At this point; my head turns down to the radio to dial the new Departure frequency in. I check in and they tell us to climb and maintain 12;000 feet. I dial in 12;000 feet; confirm it; reset the autobrake and gear lever; then reconfigure the bleeds. This entire process happens in less than two minutes.
Air Carrier First Officer reported that the use of multiple departure frequencies at  MDW airport resulted in an increased workload during a critical phase of flight.