Widebody; Low Wing; 3 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure
Approximately 1/4 mile from the hold short line; as an airplane was passing the approach end on landing; we were giving directions to line up and wait. We read back; and shortly thereafter; we were assigned a takeoff clearance while unable to see the runway visually. After reading back the clearance; we noticed the landing aircraft had not yet cleared the runway; but was in the process. By the time we lined up on centerline; the aircraft was completely clear and we began our takeoff roll. We never stopped the aircraft; or slowed. We were never told to expedite; nor was the landing aircraft. While on our takeoff roll; we heard an airplane behind us state that they were going around. We continued with a normal takeoff.I think perhaps ATC was trying too hard to keep arrivals and departures flowing; or perhaps there was plenty of room; and a go-around was not necessary. I don't know exactly the proximity of the 'go-around' aircraft.
Taxiing to 28R for departure. About abeam A5; Tower cleared us into position and hold. There was a B737 aircraft on base to final over 8 miles or so. A second aircraft had just landed. Just short of A (abeam the runway takeoff position) Tower cleared the B737 to land and announced them at 6 miles. Tower also cleared us for takeoff. Our checklists were complete and I was completing the 90 turn onto A and then continued toward the runway for an immediate takeoff. This timing would have worked except the aircraft that had just landed was still clearing the runway at what I estimated was 'E' taxiway. I had to slightly slow my taxi speed onto the runway and the displaced threshold area in order for that aircrafts tail to clear the runway foul zone. This took an extra few seconds. As I powered up for takeoff I heard the B737 pilot call a go-around. Rest of takeoff was uneventful.FLL Tower is known for jamming aircraft into takeoff and landing slot positions which are too tight. In this case it appears the tower was trying to time the landing aircrafts clearance from the runway; the B737's arrival; and my takeoff. This is way too many parameters to hope everything works as advertised. I don't know if the Tower Controller went on to another event; if the B737 went around because of concern of wake turbulence due to my takeoff; or some other event. Either way; I question whether I should have been cleared for takeoff before the preceding aircraft had actually cleared the runway.A bit more conservative approach to controlling. As a PIC I will always be the final judge as to whether I can safely accomplish the maneuver.
Widebody Cargo flight crew reports being cleared for takeoff with a landing aircraft not yet clear of the runway. The takeoff is delayed slightly until the aircraft is clear and a B737 on approach announces they are going around.