Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Workload; Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure; Weather
High workload descent into ABQ. We were deviating for weather; trying to descend from a late let down; had turbulence; and communicating with Dispatch for possible new alternate. Approach gave us 5000 feet; we read back 5000 feet; and set 5000 feet into the MCP. At 8700 feet; I queried ATC about our 5000 feet clearance (ABQ field elevation 5315 feet) and the Controller quickly changed our descent clearance to 8500 feet. We were vectored for the approach and landed uneventfully.
[Report Narrative Contained No Additional Information].
An air carrier descending into ABQ was given a descent clearance to 5;000 ft; but when the Captain asked ATC if 5;000 ft was correct they were assigned 8;500 ft. ABQ field elevation is 5;315 ft.