Large Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 61; Flight Crew Type 10000
Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors; Procedure; Manuals; Chart Or Publication
We were cleared to cross LUNDY at FL290. The Controller gave us a clearance 'After BUBBI descend via the ANTHM 3 Arrival; cross BUBBI at 300 knots.' We both looked at each other and interpreted the clearance as to maintain 290 until BUBBI. My First Officer asked if he wanted us to maintain FL290 and the Controller said No and got frustrated with us. He repeated the same clearance which still was interpreted as maintain FL290 until BUBBI. My First Officer asked the Controller again; and this time the Controller started to argue with us. I interrupted and said that we would start down and comply with the altitudes on the arrival and maintain 300 knots until BUBBI. I felt that the Controller was very frustrated with us and I wanted to de-escalate the situation. We got a different Controller on frequency for the frequency change. When my First Officer answered the call I asked [him] to get a phone number to call. The confusing part to all of this was that we got a descend via clearance after a point; and not a descend via where we were at. The clearance should have been 'Descend via the ANTHM 3; maintain 300 knots until BUBBI.' I contacted our ATC Company Representative and he agreed with us and how the clearance should have been given. He also contacted Washington Center and talked to a Supervisor. The Supervisor apologized for the mishandling and confusion of the clearance and said that we interpreted it correctly and it was the Controller's fault for the confusion.
Air carrier Captain reported ATC issued a 'descend via' clearance incorrectly.