Large Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 112; Flight Crew Total 20000; Flight Crew Type 3804
Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Company Policy; Aircraft; Procedure
The ATC departure clearance we received today was somewhat ambiguous and confusing in the format we received. We were unable to print a copy (another issue) from our CDU and I do not have the FO's notes so going from memory here;We were planned to fly IAH-ZZZ. Our clearance read 'cleared to ABQ; BNDTO5; CRGER... (then something like as filed or flight plan route) ZZZ'The 'cleared to ABQ' caused the confusion because ABQ was not our destination; or re-dispatch point; although it was fix on our filed route. We called clearance delivery who did not understand our consternation initially; but then explained that this is a new system; the last couple days and the format is how the 'company' sends it to them now.As I recall; according to the AIM or maybe it was another FAA publication; and my experience the 'cleared to' on a departure clearance is the destination; with the cleared route to follow. If something in this practice is changing; some guidance would be helpful.Not being able to print our clearance anymore with the Controller Pilot Datalink Communications (CPDLC) system is a big deal and I think sets us up for more errors. It also makes complying with our new taxi check even more difficult; as the FO is supposed to verify the cleared SID; route and altitude; but without a printed copy of the PDC he will have to rely on some hastily done shorthand to review while we are taxiing or pull up the CPDLC message on the Captains CDU to compare it to his FMC and the MCP.
Air Carrier Captain reported receiving a PDC via controller pilot datalink communications (CPDLC) that does not follow standard clearance format. When queried; Clearance Deliver states that it is a new format that is an exact copy of the clearance as provided by the company. The lack of a printer with CPDLC equipped aircraft is also discussed.