B737-700
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 231; Flight Crew Type 6000
Confusion; Training / Qualification
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors; Procedure
Cleared RNAV 22L Y Approach; maintain 170 or better. ATC got busy sequencing another flight. At KEEEL; I switched to Tower for landing clearance. This is the typical procedure on the 22L Approach. Taxiing in; Tower said that Approach did not send us to Tower. I thought I was doing exactly what I was supposed to do.  I have quite a bit of experience flying this approach over the past six months. The typical clearance is cleared RNAV 22L Approach; maintain 170 to KEEEL and contact Tower at KEEEL.I need to listen better for the exact clearance and not assume. I needed to query ATC. ATC needs to clear us to Tower in a timely fashion.  KEEEL is 1800 AGL. We need to be talking to Tower by that time from a safety perspective.
I was the Pilot Flying the RNAV Y 22L into MDW. We were initially cleared direct to SAILZ. Another Controller came on and vectored us off to the right. We were eventually re-cleared for the approach. We were told to maintain 170 knots to KEEEL. I configured the aircraft and speed to comply. I was busy configuring the aircraft; managing the automation; and calling for the Before Landing Checklist. After landing; the Tower Controller advised us that Approach had called him and said that we did not follow her instructions and contacted Tower early; and that he had a number to call if we wanted it. I explicitly remember her last instructions were 170 knots to KEEEL and cleared for the approach. I also remember her advising the [flight behind us] that he would be following us. I remember her telling the [flight behind us] about us somewhere between SAILZ and KEEEL. I do remember the Captain checking-in with the Tower and being cleared to land. I absolutely do not remember; either way; the Controller telling us (or not telling us) to contact the Tower. I told the Tower Controller that I was unaware of anything wrong. He then switched us to Ground. I asked the Captain if he knew what the Tower was talking about; and he said that Approach normally switches you to Tower by KEEEL so he switched over.
B737 Captain as the pilot not flying; reports being queried by ATC for switching to Tower at the FAF without being instructed to do so.