EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness; Workload; Distraction; Confusion; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Human Factors; Procedure
Our clearance from IAH was climb via the BNDTO 2; top altitude 4;000 ft. We programed and briefed the departure accordingly. The tower gave us a departure clearance of 'Turn right to a heading of 350'. I questioned the tower stating our initial clearance was to depart via the BNDTO 2 RNAV departure and asked tower if he wanted us to fly the SID or fly a heading. He repeated the departure clearance of 'Turn right to Heading 350'. We departed 15R and turned right to heading of 350. Tower handed us off to departure control just prior to establishing on a 350 heading. Departure asked us why we were on a 350 heading and immediately told us to turn to a heading of 210. We turned to the assigned heading and I informed departure control that the heading was given to us by the tower and that I did question the clearance prior to our departure because it was not our original clearance. To the best of my knowledge I believe that I followed all instructions given to me by IAH clearance; tower and departure control. I believe the Houston Tower gave me incorrect departure instructions even after I questioned them about the assigned heading I received.
Pilot departing IAH was given a heading to fly while on a departure SID. Pilot asked tower if they should be on the heading or on the SID. Tower advised heading. When on departure frequency controller asked why they were on the heading. Controller told pilot to turn immediately to a different heading.