B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Total 24000
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Distraction; Time Pressure; Workload
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors
Inbound to ORD we were cleared from FL220 to FL200 then immediately given a clearance to cross I believe HULLS way point at I believe 11;000 feet. I immediately increased my descent rate deploying the speed brakes to make the crossing restriction. Almost immediately as well the controller called in a very terse tone and told us that we better make the crossing restriction because 'There would be NO relief on it.'My First Officer responded and then I told him that I would take it. I contacted the Controller and told him that I wanted to check and see if we had it right that we were cleared from FL220 to FL200 and then to cross at 11;000 feet. The Controller came back and jumped on me and said that I had better pick up the descent rate because I was only descending at 900 FPM. He told me that I needed to click off the autopilot and 'Stick fly' the airplane if I was going to make it. I responded that he was now flying my airplane for me and that we would make that crossing restriction to which he said 'OK.'His tone was unbelievable! We did nothing wrong and made the crossing no problem. The problem I had is that I could not get him and his rant out of my mind all the way down the arrival and approach. It created an unsafe condition as I was very distracted from my required duties. Thankfully we landed safely but I have no idea why he felt it appropriate to talk to us that way. In my opinion the tapes need to be pulled and his conduct needs to be examined.
B737 Captain reported that a ZAU Controller made inappropriate and unprofessional comments on frequency; causing a distraction.