B737-800
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 381
Confusion; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown; Distraction
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Company Policy
We were level at FL390 and told to contact Memphis Center. After the First Officer checked in at FL390 Center cleared us to FL340. About 5 minutes later Memphis Center asked if we were on the frequency and the First Officer stated that we already checked in and were cleared to FL340. Memphis Center stated that she was looking for us and then cleared us to FL330. She was very busy and had [another Company aircraft] on frequency so I think that she mistakenly assumed it was Company flight when we checked in. She used our call sign when she initially cleared us to FL340.Reduce similar sounding Company call signs in sectors to help task saturated ATC controllers.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
B737-800 flight crew reported there was confusion about their descent clearance due to a similar sounding call sign on the same frequency.