MD-82
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 240; Flight Crew Total 20000; Flight Crew Type 18500
Communication Breakdown; Workload
ATC Issue All Types
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure
Departing LAS the other day we were given a takeoff clearance that said; 'do you have Air Carrier Y on the runway in sight?' We said; 'Yes we do.' The Tower Controller said; 'Air Carrier X keep the [traffic] in sight; cleared for takeoff 25R.' This type of clearance is given at several airports around the country too. I have some observations and questions. I am accelerating down the runway; checking the engine and aircraft performance; distance remaining; winds/windshear; evaluating the entire situation inside my aircraft to ensure that we are executing a safe and proper takeoff. Now I am expected to do this and keep the preceding aircraft in sight. That is way too much to ask. If you want to conduct departures safely it is an impossible thing to ask. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE LEGAL AND ENDORSED BY THE FAA! [I] have asked this question of several operations inspectors; tower controllers and company Check Airman. I have gotten many different answers and there is no clear consensus as to what I am to do. The question is this in two parts. 1) If I accept the clearance to keep the proceeding aircraft in sight how long am I required to keep him in sight? When does this requirement end? 2) What are my required actions/reports if I cannot keep him in sight? To me this is a lazy controller tasking me with doing his job even though I have more than enough to do already.
LAS Air Carrier departure voiced concern regarding an ATC instruction to 'sight' another departure from a parallel runway; the reporter claiming the subject separation is the responsibility of controllers.