Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors; Procedure
We were filed on the SKNRD4 into IAH. Clearance routed us on the ZEEKK1 arrival. Enroute we were recleared back to the SKNRD4 arrival. Houston center then re-cleared us onto the ZEEKK1 arrival again; then to the DOOBI2 arrival. Prior to being switched to IAH approach were cleared to descend via DOOBI2 arrival. We set the bottom altitude of 8;000 ft and began the descent. We checked in with IAH approach and let them know we were descending via the DOOBI2. They acknowledged our check on and told us to expect runway 8L. We queried approach control on the runway assignment again because the DOOBI2 is usually used when IAH is landing in a west flow. Approach confirmed runway 8L and said we should be on the SKNRD4 arrival. We were given a heading and a descent to 10;000 ft. Both the DOOBI2 and SKNRD4 share waypoints but they have different altitudes. To the best of my knowledge no vertical or lateral separation occurred. The frequent changing of arrivals was confusing to the flight crew as well as may have confused or led to a breakdown in communications between IAH center and approach controllers. Less clearance changes may help this event from recurring.
EMB-175 Captain reported confusion in the cockpit resulted when Houston Center and TRACON changed their arrival assignment multiple times.