Regional Jet 700 ER/LR (CRJ700)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Distraction; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff
Human Factors
We had to abort the initial start of the takeoff roll upon receiving a 'config Spoilers' warning message. The aircraft had just began to move when we retarded the thrust levers back to idle. All 4 BTMS readings were showing 01 upon exiting the runway so no excessive braking was used. We notified ATC of our intentions & then exited the runway. We then informed both Flight Attendants & our passengers as to what had happened. After clearing the runway; we stopped the aircraft & set the parking brake so that we could run the appropriate checklists to address the issue. The spoilers were retracted to the detented position of '0' & then we proceeded to continue on with the flight as planned.Upon pushback; we received both an IDG1 & GEN 1 OFF caution messages. We notified Maintenance & were given instructions to defer the IDG. We completed the deferral paperwork & then awaited the new release from dispatch. While entering the performance data & conferring with our dispatcher in regards to our situation; the First Officer had pulled the flight spoiler lever back to have better access to the FMS keyboard. I had been entering the MEL & deferral information into the Maintenance log at that same time. We were then asked by ATC to move the aircraft to the southeast corner of the ramp so that [another] aircraft could have access to the taxiway. Once we repositioned the aircraft; we completed the remaining paperwork & performance data. As we were taxiing out to the runway; the First Officer noted that our fuel had dropped below the minimum for takeoff. He sent the dispatcher a message via ACARS & after a couple of minutes we were given an amended minimum fuel number which met our requirements for takeoff. Upon reaching the hold short line; ATC had ordered us to line up & wait; which we refused because we still had yet to complete the before takeoff check. ATC amended their instructions to now hold short of the runway & then cleared [another] flight to depart from the intersection behind us. We completed the checklist & were then given clearance to takeoff. I positioned the aircraft onto the runway & transferred the controls to the First Officer. He then proceeded to advance the thrust levers forward; which unfortunately due to the position of the flight spoiler lever; led to the configuration warning and the retarding of our thrust levers from takeoff to idle.The lesson I learned from this event was to assess exactly what is going on at all times; both inside & outside the cockpit environment. There were many factors involving not only maintenance; but with the communication between ATC & both pilots as well. I felt like the FO & I were concerned with getting the paperwork handled correctly & accommodating ATC's requests; that it completely slipped our minds to notice or catch that the flight spoiler lever was out of position. It was dark outside as well; which made it less obvious to us that it was not where it should have been. I believe in the future that if I have more than one situation arise at the same time; I will stop everything I'm doing so that I can re-evaluate every issue at hand. This should be helpful in order for me to prevent a snowball effect of things which could lead to something similar as to what happened with this event.
CRJ-700 Captain reported rejecting the takeoff when a warning message alerted them of the flight spoiler handle that was out of position.