Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 357
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met; Deviation - Altitude Undershoot; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors
I was the Pilot Monitoring on Aircraft X from ZZZ to STL on (date). We were arriving on the AARCH 2 Arrival in STL; landing to the west. We were told to descend via the ARRCH 2 Arrival landing west by the Center Controller. We briefed the AARCH 2 and planned on a Visual Approach to Runway 29; per the ATIS. Runway 30R was closed and the primary landing runway was 29. We knew from the previous week that we might expect a change to 30L from the Final Controller. Upon initial check-in with STL Approach; nothing was changed from our original plan. When we checked in with the Final Controller; he told us to expect 30L. I immediately referenced my iPad; to change the ILS frequency; approach course; and Touchdown Zone altitude. When I looked up; I noticed the flight director roll mode was control wheel steering roll. I looked at the legs page on the FMC and there was a discontinuity at the top of the legs page 1 (which explains why we were in CWS roll). The aircraft was tracking the proper course just fine; but since we had no lateral course; VNAV was disengaged as well. We were at 10;000'; and were still going about 280 knots. Apparently the Pilot Flying had changed runways in the FMC; and executed the change with a discontinuity on the legs page. He also did not notice the change in the flight director roll mode. He made these changes without verbalizing them; or asking if I concurred with the changes. Since we were not in VNAV; by the time we slowed and descended; we were 1000' to 1500' high at the EADDS; OSHIE; and FDRKO intersections. I could not get a word in edgewise to ask for relief from the controller; nor did the controller ask us about our altitude. The controller did not notify us of a loss of separation with another aircraft; and; frankly seemed too busy to notice what happened.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
Flight crew reported unable to make crossing restriction and unable to talk with ATC due to frequency congestion.