Date: 201511
Local time of day: 0001-0600
Location: ATL.Airport, GA
Flight conditions: IMC
Aircraft: Widebody Transport
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight phase: Taxi
ATC / advisory: Tower ATL
Second aircraft: Large Transport
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Human factors: Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Incursion Runway
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Taxi
Result: General None Reported / Taken
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Procedure
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: We [aircraft X] and Aircraft Y landed on Runway 09R; the only runway open at the time.  Aircraft Y was the first aircraft. We both took a long time to taxi across the field to our ramp. Four frequency changes; giving way to aircraft being towed to gates; etc. When we were both holding short of runway 08L; at taxiway Delta; we had to wait for a landing 737; who just landed on 08L. That runway was just opened. The flight taxied off runway 08L at B10; and was directed to taxi north on B taxiway; and hold short of taxiway Delta; where both of us were holding short of the runway. We could see on TCAS that there was another aircraft on final for 08L; and it wasn't far away. Before Aircraft Z landed; the tower controller told Aircraft Y 'We'll get you across shortly'. The tower controller; I'm sure feeling pressure because of the gridlock situation he had created (B737 had nowhere it could go); cleared Aircraft Y to cross 08L; telling him to 'expedite; traffic on a 2-mile final'. We could see on TCAS that when the landing traffic was at 300 feet AGL; [second aircraft] was still crossing the runway. And he did expedite. Seconds later; we could see Aircraft Z break out of the weather over the overrun. Remember; this was a 100 foot ceiling.I asked for a phone number to call after we blocked in. I spoke with a [person] in the tower who 'just came on duty'; and said he'd look into the incident and call me back. I gave my number. To this point; no call back. He did say that they weren't going to open runway 08L until [later]; but 'they opened the runway early'.  This was dangerous and completely avoidable. The last two nights; we've landed on 09R and noticed no construction or people or vehicles of any kind on runway 08L. I realize there are many factors at play on which runways to have open during the night hours. But you know that you're going to have [multiple carriers] landing; which 08L is very convenient. Why create a situation like this; and then exacerbate it by opening the 'convenient' runway AFTER we've landed on the opposite side of the airport; so a dangerous situation is created? We taxied through 4 frequency changes; waited for aircraft being towed; held at numerous points...all in low visibility & rain; to then have to wait for traffic on the runway we should've landed on 15 minutes earlier. The potential runway incursion situation was not safe at all. The inefficiency of this is another matter. We incurred a 10 minute taxi delay.  Not being smart as to which runway to open; creating traffic congestion; and then using unsafe procedures to try to alleviate the situation.Think ahead as to who will be using your airport when; and make smarter decisions as to which runways you have open to make your operation as safe as possible.




Synopsis: A widebody air carrier Captain reported what he felt was unsafe arrival spacing by ATC at ATL.