B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 138
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Weather; Human Factors
After a very short taxi out to 25R; we switched to Tower frequency and were immediately cleared for takeoff. Before even being lined up in position; the takeoff clearance was cancelled because an aircraft was on the go off of 25L. When that aircraft was clear; Tower asked if we still wanted to take off. I replied we did and we launched. During the takeoff roll; Tower gave the winds to a Company aircraft. That was the first time I realized the probable reason for the go-around and for the question whether we still wanted to take off. It was excessive tailwind. We elected to continue the takeoff as we were in a precautionary profile anyway and we were above 80 knots. During cruise; I calculated the takeoff winds and it was a 15-knot tailwind.Preventative Measures: I guess I could have asked Tower why he was asking if we wanted to take off. It was a very unusual situation.
The ATIS information was not updated prior to us reaching the end of the runway. All the information we had indicated that this would be a normal crosswind takeoff. It was only during the takeoff roll that we first had any indication that tailwind may be an issue. When the aircraft went around; we could have queried the Controller but it didn't seem all that unusual. About the only thing I feel we could have done differently was to ask the Controller why the aircraft had gone around. If it were due to tailwind; then we would have the most current information regarding the winds.
B737 flight crew reported taking off with a 15 knot tailwind because they were never told about the current conditions.