Medium Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 3700; Flight Crew Type 1800
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Airspace Structure; Human Factors; Procedure
When departing IAD we were instructed to fly direct to PAUKI (POO-key). I read back direct to PAUKI (POO-key). Potomac Departure then assigned a frequency change to a different Potomac Departure [Controller] and we checked in with our altitude and informed [them] we were direct to PAUKI (POO-key). The new Potomac Departure [Controller] assigned a higher altitude which we read back. A moment later Potomac Departure asked if we were direct FLUKY (FLEW-key). I responded; do you want us direct to PAUKI (POO-key) or direct to FLUKY (FLEW-key)? He said turn direct to FLUKY (FLEW-key). We immediately turned direct to FLUKY (FLEW-key). I'm not sure how this could have been avoided. We were assigned PAUKI; so we flew direct to PAUKI. The next Controller seemed to think we should be direct to FLUKY; although we were given direct to PAUKI. He then assigned us direct to FLUKY; so we turned direct to FLUKY. Maybe; if correct pronunciations were given in the notes of arrivals and departures; they would aid in situations similar to this one.
After departing IAD a flight was cleared direct FLUKY but the crew heard PAUKI which was activated in the FMC. ATC questioned the track deviation then recleared the flight direct FLUKY.