Narrative:

Tower gave us an unorthodox clearance for take off on runway 01C; if I understood the clearance correctly. The following are the circumstances and comments that lead up to this very unusual event: 1. An aircraft had just landed and was rolling out on runway 01C. 2. A second aircraft was on final for a landing to runway 01C. 3. We were told to line up and wait on runway 01C. 4. While on runway 01C; tower gave us the following clearance: 'aircraft X you are cleared to do a high speed taxi; be ready for an immediate take-off.' 5.the first officer told tower we were unable to accept the clearance. It was obvious to us that we could not take-off because there was an aircraft on the active runway. 6. Then tower canceled our clearance; and we were told; 'aircraft X clear the runway at taxiway Y9; there is traffic on short final.' about that time; the aircraft on short final for runway 01C executed a go-around. 7. As we cleared the active runway; I advised tower that we do not accept take-off clearances when an aircraft is currently on our runway; i.e.; the active runway. The aircraft that had previously landed on runway 01C had not cleared the active runway. I recognize that the controllers are attempting to optimize the take-off and landing slots at iad; which was causing the controllers to rush and use inappropriate and nonstandard terminology. The controller's actions are also causing the air crews to rush in an effort to comply with these unorthodox clearances. This coupled with the inappropriate and nonstandard terminology and unorthodox clearance created a distraction for the cockpit crew when attempted to decipher the intent of the controllers' clearance. It has been noted that rushing and distractions are the number one and two causal factors to accidents and incidents. The behavior and unorthodox clearance; by this controller; if allowed to continue; will lead to a mishap.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air Carrier departure from IAD described an unclear takeoff event; claiming Controller phraseology was non-standard and conflicting.

Narrative: Tower gave us an unorthodox clearance for take off on Runway 01C; if I understood the clearance correctly. The following are the circumstances and comments that lead up to this very unusual event: 1. An aircraft had just landed and was rolling out on Runway 01C. 2. A second aircraft was on final for a landing to Runway 01C. 3. We were told to Line Up and Wait on Runway 01C. 4. While on Runway 01C; tower gave us the following clearance: 'Aircraft X you are cleared to do a high speed taxi; be ready for an immediate Take-Off.' 5.The First Officer told tower we were unable to accept the clearance. It was obvious to us that we could not Take-Off because there was an aircraft on the active runway. 6. Then tower canceled our clearance; and we were told; 'Aircraft X clear the runway at Taxiway Y9; there is traffic on short final.' About that time; the aircraft on short final for Runway 01C executed a go-around. 7. As we cleared the active runway; I advised tower that we do not accept take-off clearances when an aircraft is currently on our runway; i.e.; the active runway. The aircraft that had previously landed on Runway 01C had not cleared the active runway. I recognize that the controllers are attempting to optimize the take-off and landing slots at IAD; which was causing the controllers to rush and use inappropriate and nonstandard terminology. The Controller's actions are also causing the air crews to rush in an effort to comply with these unorthodox clearances. This coupled with the inappropriate and nonstandard terminology and unorthodox clearance created a distraction for the cockpit crew when attempted to decipher the intent of the Controllers' clearance. It has been noted that rushing and distractions are the number one and two causal factors to accidents and incidents. The behavior and unorthodox clearance; by this Controller; if allowed to continue; will lead to a mishap.

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.