B737-700
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 205.8; Flight Crew Total 21992.8; Flight Crew Type 9548.4
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
We got a full route clearance before departure. We were never assigned a departure; a first for me out of LAX. We were given heading 250. Radar vector to EXERT V-25 RZS as filed. We were climbing between 8;000 to 9;000 FT and on the heading of 250 for quite a ways. Finally SoCal Departure cleared us direct 'HECTOR and contact Center on (I thought) 125.5.' I read my clearance back as direct HECTOR and the frequency 125.5. I found that after I read back the clearance to direct HECTOR; that it was odd; since it was not on our route. Both of us heard it as direct HECTOR (HEC). I figured I can ask the next Controller for clarification. I switched over to check in with Center frequency 125.5 quickly came back; 'you have the wrong frequency and check back with your previous frequency.' While this was going on; the Captain (who was hand flying; not on autopilot); decided to type in the fix for direct HEC on his own and started to make a quick right turn to HECTOR (which was about 020 degrees heading from our position.) I said; 'What are you doing?!' Captain said; I am turning direct Hector. (As per company procedures; since he was hand flying; I am supposed to put in the fix and he is supposed to verify it is correct; and then I click ENTER and LNAV direct.' By me quickly asking him; we stopped on the heading of 300 degrees or so. I quickly then switched back to the original frequency; and immediately asked SoCal; 'Do you really want us to fly to direct HECTOR?' He said; 'No. Direct EXERT.' (We both heard him say Hector.) So I punched in EXERT; after I verified with the Captain it was entered properly in the FMC (which was pretty much west from our present position); and then asked again for the proper frequency. He told us; 135.5. He did not sound upset. No aircraft was near us. All of this happened very fast. If the Captain had used proper procedures; this would not have happened. I was distracted; trying to watch him 'hand fly' the jet; making sure he did not mess up. I wish I had asked SoCal Departure; why direct HECTOR or something like that. But I knew it was in the area; and sometimes controllers change their minds and have you go some other route. If the Captain had told me he put in HECTOR; I could have said; wait; let me call for sure to see if this is correct. But he kept me out of his loop. It is scary how fast things can get messed up on a relatively easy.
B737 First Officer describes a misunderstood clearance from Departure Control that results in a track deviation when the Captain enters and turns toward the fix before the First Officer can verify the route with the next Controller.