Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Total 19000
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors; Procedure
We have a winner for the most unsafe airport in the country. For the umpteenth time; the tower has cleared an aircraft on to the runway with an aircraft on short final. In this instance; an air carrier (Aircraft Y) cleared to line up and wait while we were on short final. The controller delayed takeoff clearance for the Aircraft Y due to a previous aircraft having not cleared the runway. The controller realizing his error; instructed the Aircraft Y to start his roll; and then taxi clear of the runway. The pilot responded that jet engines take a while to spool up and when the tower tried to make an excuse of 'this is a normal op'; Aircraft Y responded; 'we are not [other carrier].' Good for him. The tower received an 'alarm' and instructed us to go-around. Pretty normal for this airport. This is a chronic problem at SNA with aircraft being cleared to line up and wait with an aircraft on short final. Landing aircraft are constantly given delayed clearance to land.Do not allow aircraft to be cleared to line up and wait with an aircraft on short final.
B737 Captain reported they were issued go-around instructions due to an aircraft on the runway.