B737 flight crew described the extra workload and opportunities for errors when they received multip...

Narrative:

I am making this report to highlight the potential threat to our operations induced by the frequent runway changes in denver. Local conditions indicated that runway 8 would be the likely departure runway; which we planned. ATIS updated to indicate runway 17R would be used for departure. We changed the programming and re-briefed the departure. When we called ramp for pushback; we were assigned runway 8. We reprogrammed the route; changed the runway data; re-briefed and accomplished the departure checklist. When we called for taxi; ramp assigned us runway 17R. We again reprogrammed; changed data; re-briefed and re-ran the departure checklist. When we contacted ground for taxi; we were given runway 8. We reprogrammed; re-briefed; changed data and re-ran the departure checklist. After we started our taxi; ground changed our runway assignment to runway 17R. We again reprogrammed; changed data; re-briefed and re-ran the departure checklist. Twice we were hustled by ground. We resisted the time pressure and complied with our procedures. The trouble; as I see it; is that these changes run directly counter to our attempts to preplan our departures; and are a major source of errors. Furthermore; this change and uncertainty is commonplace in our denver departures.preventative measures: have denver assign runways on the pre departure clearance. This way we can know what to expect and be pre-briefed. Also; re-emphasize with denver the difficulties in changing runways; and let them know to expect a stop and delay prior to continuing for departure.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 flight crew described the extra workload and opportunities for errors when they received multiple departure runway assignment changes on taxi out at DEN.

Narrative: I am making this report to highlight the potential threat to our operations induced by the frequent runway changes in Denver. Local conditions indicated that Runway 8 would be the likely departure runway; which we planned. ATIS updated to indicate Runway 17R would be used for departure. We changed the programming and re-briefed the departure. When we called ramp for pushback; we were assigned Runway 8. We reprogrammed the route; changed the runway data; re-briefed and accomplished the Departure Checklist. When we called for taxi; Ramp assigned us Runway 17R. We again reprogrammed; changed data; re-briefed and re-ran the Departure Checklist. When we contacted Ground for taxi; we were given Runway 8. We reprogrammed; re-briefed; changed data and re-ran the Departure Checklist. After we started our taxi; Ground changed our runway assignment to Runway 17R. We again reprogrammed; changed data; re-briefed and re-ran the Departure Checklist. Twice we were hustled by Ground. We resisted the time pressure and complied with our procedures. The trouble; as I see it; is that these changes run directly counter to our attempts to preplan our departures; and are a major source of errors. Furthermore; this change and uncertainty is commonplace in our Denver departures.Preventative Measures: Have Denver assign runways on the PDC. This way we can know what to expect and be pre-briefed. Also; re-emphasize with Denver the difficulties in changing runways; and let them know to expect a stop and delay prior to continuing for departure.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1276240
Time
Date	201507
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	DEN.Airport
State Reference	CO
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Parked Taxi
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 96 Flight Crew Type 11800
Person 2
Function	First Officer
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 141 Flight Crew Type 6000
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types

B737 flight crew described the extra workload and opportunities for errors when they received multiple departure runway assignment changes on taxi out at den.