A320
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure; Weather
I was the non-flying pilot [on a westbound transcontinental] trip. We departed and proceeded on a southerly routing due to an extensive line of weather. Due to the extreme static on guard frequency associated with the weather; we turned guard frequency down. We proceeded on our cleared routing of HOB then ILC after already checking on with Fort Worth Center. The frequency was busy with weather deviations. We were contacted by an air carrier flight giving us an ABQ Center frequency to contact them on. Unbeknownst to us; our ACARS was out of service with no associated ECAM advisory. We checked in then with ABQ Center and were given two [phone] numbers with which to contact FTW and ABQ centers. After contacting them after landing; FTW Center apologized profusely for the lack of service we received and that they were busy with weather and training. [They advised] We were never handed off to ABQ Center. Use due diligence in making sure two way communications are established at all times.
[This narrative contained no additional information].
An A320 flight crew lost contact with Center for an extended period when ATC failed to hand them off to the next sector. Another flight crew forwarded an appropriate frequency to them. A malfunctioning ACARS was a contributing factor.