Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Wake Vortex Encounter
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Procedure
We were taking off at ATL behind a B-757 on RWY 26L. Tower cleared me to takeoff about 50 seconds after the 757. I informed him that I needed 2 minutes or 4-5 miles separation behind a 757. He stated that they do not have to use those separations anymore and that if I wasn't willing to take off that I would need to clear the runway. I was able to delay tower until I at least had 1.5 minutes of separation at which time I took off. Upon checking part 1 under takeoff; I am supposed to have separation behind a 757. The weather was partly cloudy skies and calm winds. I did get 2 quick turbulence pops from the 757 after takeoff.
B737-800 Captain reported refusing takeoff clearance in ATL because the preceding aircraft was a B757 and he felt more separation was appropriate.