Airbus 318/319/320/321 Undifferentiated
Communication Breakdown; Workload; Troubleshooting; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Aircraft; Weather; Procedure
We were east of DOOBI on the SKNRD2 arrival into IAH and deviating south of course for weather.  We were given a descent clearance to 12;000.  While still deviating we were told to 'Descend via the SKNRD2; except cross abeam DOOBI at 12;000.'  The abeam point was unclear and the 12;000 was lower than the minimum altitude at DOOBI (FL190).  Additionally we were still deviating and not on the arrival; so the there was some confusion in flight.  After that we made the turn at KNGWD for the transition to 8R.  Planning to cross over VLDEZ GOVVV etc. as published for runway 8R.  Shortly after making the turn at KNGWD the controller told us 'you missed your turn at KNGWD; turn left to 220 degrees.'  We queried the Controller about the runway as our approach chart indicates to continue over VLDEZ for Runway 8R.  We thought maybe there had been a runway change.  The controller said that the runway was still 8R; but that he wanted us south of the field for a right downwind due to weather north of the field.  We explained that by selecting 8R in the FMGC we could not select a transition over KNGWD that took us south of the field.  Also; there was no notification that after KNGWD we should proceed via the transition for Runway 9. In both situations we were able to clarify with ATC and determine what they wanted us to do although it took several calls.
While deviating east of DOOBI for weather on the IAH SKNRD 2 arrival; ATC requested an Airbus crew fly the Runway 8R South transition after KNGWD; but that transition was not an FMC selection.