B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 159
Confusion; Workload; Situational Awareness; Distraction; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Chart Or Publication; Procedure
We were initially cleared to descend via the SERFR2 Arrival to SFO. Our next clearance was to descend via the SERFR2; except maintain 10;000 feet. Our next clearance was to descend via; except maintain 6;000 feet. The Controller then advised that we were leaving Class B airspace and would re-enter in one mile; and they switched us to a new frequency. The new Controller cleared us SERFR2 to the TIPP TOE Visual 28L and cross MENLO at or above 4;000 feet. Our next clearance was to cancel the TIPP TOE visual and we were given a heading to intercept the 28L LOC and maintain 3;100 feet.After intercepting the LOC we asked if we were cleared for the approach because we were held at 3;100 feet and we were intercepting our glidepath; Approach said yes and passed us to Tower. After contacting Tower; our approach was canceled to 28L and we were subsequently cleared for a visual 28R. All of this took place within about 40 miles from the airport. This was a lot to handle in a short period of time and my FO and I discussed whether we had done something wrong to get this many changes. After continued discussion with the FO and our ATC Specialist; we felt that we complied with all instructions; but there is room for improvement with ATC and descend via clearances with so many changes.
A B737 Captain flying the SFO SERFR2 was cleared descend via except maintain 6;000 feet and then NORCAL alerted they descended out of SFO Class B. Numerous altitude clearance changes on the arrival created a high workload environment.