B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 243; Flight Crew Type 17000
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Chart Or Publication; Human Factors; Procedure
Routine flight to Houston. Cruising at FL 340; we were initially cleared to descend a few thousand feet by Houston Center and then subsequently cleared to 'descend via' the KIDDZ 1 Arrival into Houston Hobby. I brought up to my First Officer that the controller neglected to issue a runway transition with the clearance and asked him to clarify. When asked what runway; the controller responded that he had no idea what runway they were using at Hobby. Another aircraft on the frequency piped in and told the controller that we need that information in order to comply correctly with the 'descend via' clearance. The controller responded and basically said they were trying to make it work but were short of having it all together. We elected to set the lowest altitude on the main portion of the arrival; not associated with a runway; which was 9000 feet at GLUVR; and feel that was correct in light of the situation. This Center Controller handed us off to Houston Approach who subsequently cleared us for the Runway 4 transition; after which we reset the MCP to 6000 feet. This was the first time that I can remember receiving a 'descend [via]' clearance without a runway. Flight continued uneventfully and landed at Hobby without any further ATC issues.Coordination between Center and TRACON would be helpful. I find it hard to believe that Center had no way of knowing what the landing runway was at Hobby. My understanding is that we need this information to fully comply with the arrival.
The reporter stressed that no attempt was made by Center to obtain the runway information. Reporter added that the flight crew unilaterally elected to utilize the altitude crossing at GLUVR as their required 'bottom' altitude; notwithstanding the bottom altitudes on all of the subsequent routings to the runways.
When the B737 flight crew was cleared to 'descend via' the KIDDZ1 RNAV STAR to HOU; the crew was unable to complete programming the STAR until ATC provided the expected landing runway. STAR tracks and altitude restrictions beyond GLUVR are dependent on programming the associated runway. When asked; the Center Controller advised they had no idea which runway was in use.