Speedy takeoffs aren’t up to the captain

Question: Why do some pilots, when cleared for takeoff, come to a complete stop on the runway while others will come off the taxiway and immediately take off ?

— Mark, Charlotte Answer: Often the ones that stop on the runway have a clearance to “line up and wait.” This clearance means that the captain taxi onto the runway and align it for takeoff, but he must stop. Once the conflicting traffic is clear, then the takeoff clearance is issued and takeoff begins. If there is no conflicting traffic, then the rolling takeoff can be used.

In the context you ask, I suspect you are hearing “hold short.” This is a clearance to remain clear of the runway and behind the runway line painted on the taxiway. “Line up and wait” is a clearance to taxi onto the runway but NOT to begin takeoff. You mentioned landing. I suspect that you may be hearing the hold short clearance in relation to a landing airplane. As an example, “American 123 hold short, landing Boeing 757.”

Sadly, it happens occasionally. The pilots will become preoccupied with pretakeoff preparations when air-traffic control clears them for an immediate takeoff. It happened to me once, and I apologized to the flight attendants for my oversight.