B737 MAX 8
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 195; Flight Crew Type 10500
Workload; Time Pressure; Situational Awareness; Distraction
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy; Human Factors
This was both pilots' second flight on the MAX Aircraft since its return.  We briefed a single engine taxi; in order to save gas; due to carrying an alternate in ZZZ1.  We determined to start the engine once we determined what the lineup was for takeoff.  As we turned the corner; approaching taxiway; we saw that we were #4; and due to the long start of the MAX; we began to start the #1 engine.  This turned out to still be almost too late to start the engine and ensure 3 minutes of stabilization at idle prior to takeoff.  The engine was started by the time we turned onto taxiway; but both of us were very closely monitoring the time and taxiing slow as we were now #2 for takeoff.  After stabilization; we remembered that we had also talked earlier in the trip about trying to remember to do the new VNAV programming procedures in order to build habit patterns. Having a minute to go before our three-minute stabilization time; we decided to program the computer for the practice. This was one more distraction added to that of watching the engine time.  About the time we finished; we were cleared for takeoff with 30 seconds to go before three minutes.  We saw that we were going to be good on the time; so acknowledged the clearance; turned on the lights; took the runway and took off.  Only on climbout; after having cleaned up; did we realize that we had failed to run the Before Takeoff Checklist.  We immediately checked in with the Flight Attendants; who confirmed the fact that we had not notified them of the takeoff clearance as required by our flows and the checklist.  Due to the length of taxi; however; they were all seated with everything stowed; and nothing unfortunate occurred.  The rest of the flight went uneventfully.   Distractions piled up; due to being in a somewhat unfamiliar aircraft and trying to accomplish new programming procedures for climbout. While everything was being done to try to be procedurally correct in accordance with what the Company wants done; being out of normal habit patterns caused us to miss a checklist. I would suggest that regarding the MAX; until we are all much more familiar with the timing required to start the engines with motoring and still get the three minutes; that we minimize the times that we single engine taxi; doing so only when there will be an excessive amount of ground time anticipated.  Beyond that; if we do accomplish a single engine taxi; and we approach the runway without the time required; rather than focus on slowing down to get the time; simply tell Tower we need a minute to allow for the three minute and accept the delay. Further; the timing for the VNAV programming needs to be codified. It can only be accomplished after the numbers are received from ATIS which is when everything is happening quickly to get us off the gate.  It might be worth adding a 'VNAV Climbout programmed' step to the Before Push or Before Taxi Checklist; to prevent distractions later on.
Second flight in the MAX 8; since its return to service. We taxied out single engine and saw the lineup was minimal for takeoff on [Runway] XXL. Began engine start; after exiting the ramp. Because of the slow engine start with the MAX; we were closely watching the timing to ensure we got three minutes after engine start. Engine was started as we turned onto taxiway; and the aircraft in front of us was cleared for takeoff. We taxied slowly; as it looked like we would make our engine warmup time with a slow taxi. We decided to load the new VNAV Takeoff Programming Procedures. Got that loaded; just as our engine time was completed and Tower cleared us for takeoff. We rolled onto the runway and had an uneventful takeoff and climbout. Because we were distracted; we failed to accomplish the Before Takeoff Checklist or ding the flight attendants. Loading of VNAV takeoff programming should be accomplished earlier than approaching the end of the runway. I'm not sure where the best time is to load the VNAV takeoff procedure; since we are very busy after we get our numbers. This would minimize distractions at a critical point in the taxi out. MAX engine start is slow. If it looked like we needed more time for engine warm up; we should not hesitate to let Tower know we need more time.
Flight crew flying 737 MAX aircraft reported missing the before takeoff checklist and Flight Attendant notification prior to takeoff due to engine warm up time constraints.