Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 180; Flight Crew Type 8000
Distraction; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
General None Reported / Taken
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors; Weather
While taxiing out to 08L at A8; we were number three or two for departure. We heard a Company aircraft tell Tower that with the current winds they are stating to other aircraft in their takeoff clearance that they are unable to depart. Tower then came back and said the airport winds were now variable at 6 kts. and 'Is that OK?' They said 'It is;' and from then on Tower cleared (I think) two aircraft to takeoff and called the winds variable at 6 kts. They then cleared us to takeoff; and either didn't state the winds or called them variable at 6 kts too. I can't remember; but I do remember I was paying attention to what she was saying; especially about the winds. We departed uneventfully. The next day I wake up to a text from another Company Pilot telling me I may have departed illegally. I told them I was number two or so in line when I heard that conversation take place about the winds. They said it may have been someone else then. I felt the best action is to fill out this [report] just in case; however; I don't believe we departed illegally based on the Tower's advisement of the winds.
While about number four for takeoff; a Company pilot on a different flight notified ATC that with the winds the Tower was reporting; they could not legally depart. I had not noticed what the Tower had been reporting. Right after; the Tower Controller stated the airport winds were variable at 6 and asked if they could depart. They stated they could depart with those winds. I noticed the last ATIS winds we had were 210 at 9. Both the Captain and I felt that with those winds we were legal to depart. At the time we received our takeoff clearance; the winds were still variable at 6.The following day; the Captain received a text from another Crew Member stating they believed we took off illegally. While the Captain and I both disagree with that assessment; we decided filing an [report] would be a good idea. Looking back; when we heard the winds being variable at 6; we should have requested new numbers from [Weight and Balance] with the most conservative number (260 at 6) just to be completely sure. Simply requesting [Weight and Balance] data with the new wind report would take out any question regarding this type of event.
B737 flight crew reported they may have departed LAS with illegal winds.