Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Runway
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors; Procedure
We had landed Runway 28. Crossed 27L and was holding short of 27R; note it being the long Runway in Atlanta. It was a very busy day; especially with deicing. After a plane was cleared for takeoff on 27R; it lifted off somewhere halfway down the Runway or before. Before the plane was barely off the ground; still not far down the Runway; were cleared to cross at intersection T. I read it back; scanned the Runway and noticed the plane taking off had just lifted off; 100-200 ft.; maybe; and was still not even close to our intersection; maybe S or U intersection; taking off west. I hit the breaks after we passed the hold short line seeing this. The captain inquired and I said 'it hasn't crossed yet'. After what felt like 5-7 seconds it passed and we continued without incident. In the moment I believed this compromised safety and possibly was a Runway incursion because the plane taking off had not passed us yet. I believe the pace Atlanta needed to keep up with to get planes moving caused this premature clearance to cross. They were telling planes to read back call signs only; which I didn't hear until after the clearance was given. I would probably scan before starting aircraft movement and keep my attention on the radio to keep better situational awareness.
Pilot reported receiving a runway crossing clearance while another aircraft was on take off roll and had yet to pass the crossing intersection.