B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Company Policy; Procedure; Human Factors
At gate 15 minutes prior to departure; ATC advise there was a ground stop. We continued boarding and ten minutes later ground stop was lifted. We pushed on time at (time); taxiing to runway; pushed Attendant call and waited for verification; it was received. Once that occurred; I called for Before Takeoff Checklist. During the accomplishment of this checklist; heard audible ring from ACARS; stopped checklist and noticed we received Dispatch message saying there was a ground stop again in place. I disregarded message; finished checklist; and Tower then cleared us for takeoff.My complaint with this event; if there is a ground stop in effect; then ATC should be the notifying party; NOT Dispatch. If we were at gate; I could understand the communication from Dispatch; but not after the aircraft is pushed. The only reason Dispatch should be contacting aircraft after brake release until after takeoff; is if there is a safety of flight concern or National Airspace System closure. This occurrence was a distraction that could have been easily been prevented if Dispatch could look to see what phase of flight we are in.
While taxiing for takeoff in a B737-800; company alerted the flight crew on ACARS; which was very distracting; with a non emergency message. Flight crew ignored the message and proceeded to takeoff.