Heavy Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Other / Unknown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Procedure
For the third time in the last two or so months we were assigned Runway 17L as the landing Runway by Approach. For the third time I 'refused' the runway assignment. While the tables tell us a 425;000 lbs [heavy air carrier] CAN land on that runway I see no reason to do so while a tiny jet at what; maybe 60;000 lbs is occupying the longer runway. The question simply is not CAN we do it but WHY DO WE DO IT? Is there a better way?According to ATC the runways get assigned by 'the computer.' Maybe 'the computer' needs to be educated or overruled. If you cannot accommodate international arrivals on the west side give heavy aircraft longer runways than you give regional jets. It's simply the smart thing to do. Longer runways decrease wear on equipment; lessen failure rates and allow crews that have been flying for 10-16 hours a greater safety margin.
Heavy aircraft First Officer reported that ATC computer assigns shorter runways for bigger aircraft.