B737-500
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 148; Flight Crew Type 12000
Communication Breakdown; Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure
It was a quick leg; and I had loaded the approach in to the FMC at the gate but forgot the crossing restriction at COACH. Enroute; Center gave us COACH at 11;000 FT and by the time I put it in the FMC; we were 9;000 FT high. As it became apparent we would not make it; (tailwind also); we asked Center for relief. He took a long time getting back to us; said we were 'lucky this time;' and handed us off to Houston Approach. I asked Approach for a verbal verification of relief of the altitude restriction at COACH; which he gave; and Center had not given. We proceeded to the airport and landed uneventfully.I should have loaded the crossing restriction in the FMC on the ground at DAL. Don't do this arrival too often and should have known that.
We had an expect crossing note on the approach plate that we missed and by the time ATC issued the restriction; we were high.We asked for relief from ATC and it was unclear whether or not we received it.
A B737-500 flight crew was unable to comply with an ATC directed crossing restriction. The restriction was noted as an 'expect to cross at...' fix on the arrival plate.