Air carrier departure from atl; holding for release time and later given runway crossing clearance; ...

Narrative:

After pushing back on time for flight; we were advised by ground control that we had an estimated departure time of XA03Z. Our taxi instructions were to hold short of runway 9L at taxiway T. We remained in this position for approximately 10 minutes. Just prior to being given any further taxi instructions; an aircraft Y pilot holding short of runway 9L had inquired about his gate being open and being able to cross runway 9L. An rj was then cleared into position and hold for runway 9L. We were also cleared to cross runway 9L; join taxiway north and hold short of taxiway P for runway 9L. The aircraft Y pilot again inquired about crossing runway 9L as his company had told him his gate was open. The controller engaged in somewhat of a lengthy exchange of words something to the effect of 'I understand you say your company says your gate is open; but I say hold short of runway 9L.' I believe this solicited another response from the aircraft Y pilot. After exchanging more words with the aircraft Y pilot; the control then cleared the rj for takeoff. His lights were then turned on indicating to me he understood the takeoff clearance. I immediately advised the captain to stop. The controller recognizing the conflict; immediately canceled the rj's takeoff clearance. I would guess we were approximately 5 ft into the runway at that time. He then cleared us to cross runway 9L. The controller then made a remark something to the effect of 'see what happened aircraft Y; I lost my focus.' in my opinion; this incident occurred as a result of the controller being distracted by extraneous radio calls from another aircraft causing him to not only lose his focus but his patience as well.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier departure from ATL; holding for release time and later given runway crossing clearance; observed ATC clear a conflicting departure; ATC noted the error and canceled the takeoff clearance; reporter indicated Controller was distracted.

Narrative: After pushing back on time for flight; we were advised by Ground Control that we had an estimated departure time of XA03Z. Our taxi instructions were to hold short of Runway 9L at Taxiway T. We remained in this position for approximately 10 minutes. Just prior to being given any further taxi instructions; an Aircraft Y pilot holding short of Runway 9L had inquired about his gate being open and being able to cross Runway 9L. An RJ was then cleared into position and hold for Runway 9L. We were also cleared to cross Runway 9L; join Taxiway N and hold short of Taxiway P for Runway 9L. The Aircraft Y pilot again inquired about crossing Runway 9L as his company had told him his gate was open. The Controller engaged in somewhat of a lengthy exchange of words something to the effect of 'I understand you say your company says your gate is open; but I say hold short of Runway 9L.' I believe this solicited another response from the Aircraft Y pilot. After exchanging more words with the aircraft Y pilot; the Control then cleared the RJ for takeoff. His lights were then turned on indicating to me he understood the takeoff clearance. I immediately advised the Captain to stop. The Controller recognizing the conflict; immediately canceled the RJ's takeoff clearance. I would guess we were approximately 5 FT into the runway at that time. He then cleared us to cross Runway 9L. The Controller then made a remark something to the effect of 'See what happened Aircraft Y; I lost my focus.' In my opinion; this incident occurred as a result of the Controller being distracted by extraneous radio calls from another aircraft causing him to not only lose his focus but his patience as well.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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	828594
Time
Date	200903
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ATL.Airport
State Reference	GA
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Phase	Taxi
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Commercial Fixed Wing
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Climb
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Pilot Not Flying First Officer
Qualification	Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Flight Engineer Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Commercial Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 153 Flight Crew Total 7000 Flight Crew Type 2500
Events
Anomaly	Conflict Ground Conflict Less Severe

Air carrier departure from atl; holding for release time and later given runway crossing clearance; observed ATC clear a conflicting departure; ATC noted the error and canceled the takeoff clearance; reporter indicated controller was distracted.