B717 (Formerly MD-95)
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Chart Or Publication; Human Factors
Our flight was filed KZZZ SBI3 HRV J37 MGM WARRR1 KATL. Enroute ATC filed us direct CATLN which is on J37. After a frequency change we were cleared direct CATLN; and I read back direct CATLN. Several minutes later ATC asked us to verify that we were direct PAYTN. I told him no that we were direct CATLN. He informed us that that was not on the WARRR1 arrival; and we should go direct PAYTN. We informed him it was not on our flight plan and we were going CATLN MGM then the WARRR1. He said no big deal and to go direct PAYTN WARRR1.I think if the two fixes name were not similar this event could have been avoided. As the non-flying pilot I should have confirmed we were cleared direct CATLN. I read back direct CATLN; but I did have some doubt; it just made sense that [we] were cleared there because it was on our flight plan so I did not verbally question it.
Inbound to ATL and filed via the WARRR RNAV STAR the flight crew of a B717 misunderstood an ATC clearance to go direct to PAYTN (the initial waypoint of the PAYTN.WARRR arrival) as direct to CAYTN; a fix further along their enroute airway; J37; but which is not a part of any transition to the WARRR STAR.