Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200; Flight Crew Type 10000
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Chart Or Publication; Procedure; Company Policy
This narrative highlights two incorrect published crossing altitudes on two different arrivals that can lead to altitude deviations and aircraft overspeeds. The first is the PASLY 4 (10-2C) arrival to BNA at GROAT intersection. The crossing is depicted to cross GROAT at or below FL 230. It is always 1000 out of 1000 times given to cross GROAT at FL 220 usually by Memphis Center and has been for at least five years. Sometimes this occurs very late. This can lead to a situation where the aircraft was on the path; is now high; and the aircraft then pitches down at the last minute to meet the unpublished altitude of 22;000 ft. This pitchdown can lead to an overspeed and a situation that still does not meet the crossing. The second instance is on the ENDEE 6 Arrival into MDW (10-2). The fix in particular is KAMBL and the published crossing is between FL 270-FL 240. The unpublished crossing that is given; very late; is to cross KAMBL at 24;000 ft. Now the aircraft is in the same situation as the PASLY 4 Arrival; only you may have a 100 plus kt. tailwind to deal with as well. Both these situations persist but are preventable by simply changing the published altitude. Finally; there are several Pilots who are rusty from not flying; due to low utilization; whose situational awareness and lack of currency make this situation even more grave. Please fix these easy to remedy issues and trap the known errors. Thank you. We did not have a deviation. I am only reporting to highlight these issues.
Air Carrier pilot reported ATC consistently issues a crossing restriction at a specific fix different than what is published and programmed causing difficulty complying with the clearance.