B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe
Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic
Human Factors; Procedure
Behind a departing B757 we were given the clearance 'Line up and wait' on Runway 01R at SFO. I started my clock for wake turbulence avoidance as the B757 started its takeoff roll and taxied onto the runway and to the 'takeoff power point' further down the runway at what I judged to be the appropriate speed to arrive at that takeoff power point at the same time that enough time would have expired to have ensured safe separation between us and the departed B757; to also coincide with an expected takeoff clearance at that time. Instead; the SFO Tower cleared us for takeoff much sooner than that; and indicated with that takeoff clearance that there would be traffic holding in position on 28L. We continued at the same speed to the takeoff power point on 01R and I handed the aircraft to the First Officer for takeoff. Halfway through the takeoff roll I noticed in my scan for the first time an aircraft on final for 28R. I felt an abort at that time would have placed us right in its path and so I decided to continue the takeoff; which seemed to be the right choice because it looked to me like the aircraft would touch down after we would have crossed its runway; just moments later SFO Tower directed that aircraft to go-around. I feel that SFO Tower must have expected us to takeoff without delay; thereby allowing more room for the landing aircraft; even though we had not yet reached the takeoff power point; and ignoring the required separation between us and the departed B757. There was no mention of the landing aircraft when we were given the takeoff clearance; the only mention was that of the aircraft waiting in position on 28L. The word 'immediate' was also not used in the takeoff clearance. SFO Tower should not try to rush or squeeze departures between arrivals while ignoring wake turbulence separation standards. I as Captain should have intervened when the First Officer accepted the early takeoff clearance with a demand for more time between us and the departing B757; rather than just taking the time to taxi to the takeoff point without any mention to the Tower. Again I was not aware of the landing aircraft until halfway down the takeoff roll.
Air Carrier departing Runway 1R at SFO elected to slow the takeoff due to 'wake separation' based upon only time; the delay caused a go-around on Runway 28.