EMB ERJ 140 ER/LR
Flight Crew Commercial
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Human Factors
[We had an] ATC loss of separation during approach to 4R ORD. [We were] instructed by ATC to discontinue the approach and fly heading 250. Instructions [were] given by male voice; not original female voice of Approach Controller. Crew asked for clarification on direction of turn twice and received no response. Initiated a right turn to heading published on 4R approach chart. [We were] questioned by ATC male voice as to current heading and direction of turn. Told by ATC male voice that the turn was to be to the left and to fly new heading of 180. [We were] then instructed by ATC female voice to fly 250 heading. ATC male voice then questioned new heading and crew responded 250. Confusion arose from two different ATC controllers issuing different instructions and ATC failure to respond to crew queries in a timely manner. [We were] vectored back for another approach/landing 4R.
[Narative #2 contained no additional information
An Air Carrier on approach to ORD Runway 4R was issued a go around after receiving several conflicting headings. The reporter suspects training may have been a factor.