B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Procedure; Human Factors
On each of two visual approaches pilot initiated go around due to Tower clearing departing traffic onto runway and for takeoff with inadequate spacing to allow for a landing. In both instances approaches and go-arounds were conducted IAW SOP's. Third approach and landing were completed without further incident. Cause;  1-SJC conducting single runway night visual approach and departure operations on 30L 2-From extended left downwind position NORCAL cleared us a visual approach; Number 4 in sequence behind traffic in sight on final at our 9 o'clock position 3- Conducted visual approach IAW SOP's (met all stable approach parameters with adequate spacing to allow aircraft to land and clear runway prior to our crossing the threshold.) 4- Landing traffic cleared runway as we were near the 1;000 FT stabilized approach gate 5- tower cleared a Learjet that was at the hold short line onto the runway and for takeoff from the approach end of the displaced threshold (Taxiway B) 6- We initiated a go-around when it was apparent the aircraft would not be airborne before we crossed the threshold. 7- Vectored around for another approach. Began as an instrument approach then cleared visual approach. 8- Aircraft we were following landed but was unable to exit the runway at the 'suggested' taxiway. 9- Once the aircraft was clear; Tower cleared a Southwest jet that was at the hold short line onto the runway and for takeoff. 10- We initiated a second go-around once it became apparent the [Airliner] jet would not be airborne before we crossed the threshold. 11 - Vectored by NORCAL for a third approach. Informed SJC was holding all departures until we were on the ground. 12- Normal approach and uneventful landing.
Air Carrier arrival conducting visual approaches into SJC executed two go arounds due to spacing concerns with departing traffic.