Narrative:

Our aircraft was given a 'line up and wait' clearance on from tower. While waiting for takeoff clearance; we heard a blocked transmission from tower. We believed the tower transmission was blocked by an aircraft checking in for landing clearance on final approach. We also believed the tower transmission was our takeoff clearance but it was barely readable. My first officer queried the tower saying 'call sign blocked; was that a takeoff clearance for aircraft X?' the tower responded saying heading 290. My first officer and I were confused. We were thinking the tower thought we were asking for the heading after takeoff but we were asking if we were cleared for takeoff.the tower then advised there was company [traffic] on final approach. We still did not hear a takeoff clearance. We queried tower again if we were cleared for takeoff. Tower did not respond right away because he was talking to multiple aircraft. We asked again if we were cleared for takeoff. Finally tower cleared us for takeoff. We replied cleared for takeoff and started takeoff roll. Seconds later tower directed the company aircraft on final to go around and canceled our takeoff clearance. We rejected our takeoff and exited the runway at the next available exit. Our aircraft never achieved 40% N1; toga was never set; takeoff thrust was never set and the aircraft never attained greater than 10 knots.we contacted dispatch and received an amended release for takeoff fuel and advised dispatch of the rejected takeoff. We took off about 15 minutes later uneventful. I submit this [report] because I feel the tower was undermanned. Due to the blocked takeoff clearance it took multiple transmissions to clarify our takeoff clearance. If the tower wasn't working so many aircraft at once; we could have been able to advise the tower their transmission was blocked and request a retransmission of the original clearance. Instead; we couldn't get our takeoff clearance in a timely manner and it caused an aircraft to go around and our late takeoff clearance canceled. I believe the tower controller was doing an excellent job but feel he was overwhelmed with aircraft. I want the tower controllers to know our company pilots desire to have a safe; great; and professional working relationship.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A pilot reported their takeoff clearance was blocked by frequency congestion causing a delay and canceled takeoff clearance.

Narrative: Our aircraft was given a 'Line up and wait' clearance on from Tower. While waiting for takeoff clearance; we heard a blocked transmission from Tower. We believed the Tower transmission was blocked by an aircraft checking in for landing clearance on final approach. We also believed the Tower transmission was our takeoff clearance but it was barely readable. My First Officer queried the Tower saying 'Call sign Blocked; was that a takeoff clearance for Aircraft X?' The Tower responded saying heading 290. My First Officer and I were confused. We were thinking the Tower thought we were asking for the heading after takeoff but we were asking if we were cleared for takeoff.The Tower then advised there was Company [Traffic] on final approach. We still did not hear a takeoff clearance. We queried Tower again if we were cleared for takeoff. Tower did not respond right away because he was talking to multiple aircraft. We asked again if we were cleared for takeoff. Finally Tower cleared us for takeoff. We replied cleared for takeoff and started takeoff roll. Seconds later Tower directed the Company aircraft on final to go around and canceled our takeoff clearance. We rejected our takeoff and exited the runway at the next available exit. Our aircraft never achieved 40% N1; TOGA was never set; takeoff thrust was never set and the aircraft never attained greater than 10 knots.We contacted Dispatch and received an amended Release for takeoff fuel and advised Dispatch of the rejected takeoff. We took off about 15 minutes later uneventful. I submit this [report] because I feel the Tower was undermanned. Due to the blocked takeoff clearance it took multiple transmissions to clarify our takeoff clearance. If the Tower wasn't working so many aircraft at once; we could have been able to advise the Tower their transmission was blocked and request a retransmission of the original clearance. Instead; we couldn't get our takeoff clearance in a timely manner and it caused an aircraft to go around and our late takeoff clearance canceled. I believe the Tower Controller was doing an excellent job but feel he was overwhelmed with aircraft. I want the Tower Controllers to know our Company Pilots desire to have a safe; great; and professional working relationship.

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.