Regional Jet 900 (CRJ900)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert
Human Factors; Chart Or Publication; Procedure
We were originally on the DEBBB Arrival into DFW changed by ATC to the JOVEM 1 arrival after TURKI intersection. We were then cleared for the JOVEM arrival. After TURKI; we descended via the arrival. Our last assigned altitude before the clearance was FL 350. We were instructed by ATC at 34;600 feet to maintain a new altitude of FL 340 while descending to meet the GLOKK crossing restriction of FL 240.. While descending into DFW with Approach we were then told to contact a number for a possible pilot deviation. The controller when we spoke to him believed we confused cleared for the JOVEM 1 arrival for descend via the JOVEM 1 arrival.Better coordination between sectors to keep pilot at set flight level prior to clearance for JOVEM. Literature on various possible RNAV arrival variations on clearances and their meanings.
The first officer; when asked; commented that approximately 50% of 'via' clearances require flight crew conversation or verification from ATC to ensure accurate understanding.
After speaking to the quality controller; he explained what they thought had happened. They believe we confused cleared via the JOVEM RNAV STAR for descend via.
A CRJ-900 flight crew inbound to DFW at FL350 was cleared via the JOVEM RNAV STAR. Shortly after beginning their descent to cross GLOKK between FL280 & FL240 ATC advised them to stop their descent at FL240 as they had not yet been cleared to descend. During a post flight phone call to ATC it became apparent they had been 'cleared via'; but not yet cleared to 'descend via' the arrival.