Date: 201501
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: ATL.Airport, GA
Flight conditions: IMC
Light: Night
Aircraft: Medium Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Takeoff / Launch
Airspace: Class B ATL
ATC / advisory: Tower ATL
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Contributing factors: Airport; Procedure; Human Factors; Chart Or Publication
Primary problem: Chart Or Publication

Narrative: We were operating a flight and we were instructed to follow a 757 to runway 8r for takeoff. As we approached the end of taxiway Echo there was an opposite facing aircraft and was not certain of who was next and could not get a word in to query ATC so I held short of the intersection just in case tower needed that aircraft to go first. Tower cleared the 757 for takeoff and I started my time just in case; 12 seconds later tower cleared us for takeoff on the same runway. Since I was a little ways back I knew it would take me a little time to get on the runway and start my takeoff roll. Both the First officer and I were a little confused by this a probably should have queried ATC immediately but as I stated I was not immediately ready for takeoff. We got lined up and I started to advance the trust at around 1min and 30 seconds after he cleared the 757 for takeoff. I did not stop on the runway or taxi any slower than normal but as I stated was slightly further back than normal. As we started to advance ATC queried us for not being airborne. My First Officer stated we were rolling and 'we needed space behind the heavy.' This made the controller mad and he started raising his voice stating if you need more time you need to let me know It's not a heavy!! We took off normally and Tower instructed us to contact departure and again stated we need to expedite the takeoff next time. I stated we were moving but that it was close to the heavy. Again more irritated than last time he stated it's not a heavy and all he needed was 6;000 feet between us and them. We didn't say anything else and switched over to Departure control. The next morning when we arrived at the gate I called ground control and got a number to the tower. I called them and they gave me to a supervisor who stated that Atlanta; Memphis and Louisville are part of the RECAT program which puts the 757 in class with almost every other large airplane and not a heavy. I told him I was aware of this program in Memphis but not yet at any other airports in the system. He stated they have been doing it in Atlanta for almost 6 months. I have the Memo 2012 for the MEM RECAT but have not seen any other memo's on this and was Not Aware that this practice was taking place in ATL. Again I'm not sure I could have expedited my take off much more but it apparently was not fast enough for the controller.I have consulted with other pilots and we have looked up the most current rules and regulations and could not find anywhere that states this is occurring in Atlanta. Clarification to the pilot group may help eliminate the need for this report having to be filed by another pilot.




Synopsis: An air carrier Captain reported ATL ATC was upset because the crew delayed their takeoff for spacing behind a B757 because they were not aware the RECAT program was in effect at ATL.