Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Time Pressure
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airport; Human Factors; Procedure
We were in the landing flare for Runway 25 at PHF when I heard the Tower announce a Citation was 'Cleared for Takeoff' on Runway 20.  Knowing that these runways intersect near the rollout end of the runways; I was immediately alarmed.  I thought at first it was an error.  As the wheels touched down I heard the Citation crew accept the clearance.  This prompted me to go to max braking in order to remain short of the intersection of the runways. I stopped on the runway; and even before the departing aircraft had cleared through I was told Tower needed me to keep it rolling!  I immediately inquired if this was allowed; and was told they had 'a reasonable expectation of separation.'I feel this is unsafe.  How can they reasonably expect all situations that may occur?  What if that aircraft blows a tire and aborts right into the intersection?  What happens if I go around as he's departing towards me?  How is Tower able to assess all this risk?  Why not wait until one aircraft lands and clears the intersection?  I called the Tower and they claimed they can issue this clearance because they could: 'reasonably expect separation;' and were totally nonchalant to my concerns.  Had this clearance been issued even moments earlier I would have probably gone around.  Contributing to this confusion is the fact that aircraft landing on 25 cannot see the aircraft on 20 and is unaware of his exact location.There is a threat of a potential collision if many unforseen things were to go wrong.  I was confused as to whether we were given a land and hold short clearance (which we were not).
The Captain of an air carrier aircraft touching down on Runway 25 at PHF was alarmed and initiated max braking after hearing Tower clear a Citation for takeoff on Runway 20 which intersects with 25 at the rollout end.  There had been no notification of authorized LAHSO being in effect.  Tower advised they had cleared the other aircraft based on 'reasonable expectation of separation' criteria.