B737-700
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 202; Flight Crew Type 7500
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Aircraft; Human Factors
ATC cleared us to cross QUBEE at 11;000. We selected 11;000 in the window and FMC and let VNAV descend on profile. Around 18;000 we switched to Approach who gave us 7;000; which we put in the window and deleted the 11;000 in FMC. We then descended in Level Change as a bit high for visual profile. Approaching QUBEE; it was the last point in the FMC under XXXFNT01 profile; the Captain had the First Officer ask for heading out of QUBEE. Approach responded direct FNT which agreed with the flight plan. We added that point; verbalized; verified; and monitored LNAV to FNT. Rest of flight was uneventful.As far as we were concerned; all altitudes were complied with and as we asked two to three miles before QUBEE. We flew correct route to FNT. Tower wanted us to call regarding QUBEE. We called Flight Operations; who talked with ATC; who agreed no altitude violation occurred. [They need to [m]ake sure Approach states 'comply with previous restriction' if they want 11;000 [at QUBEE].
The last fix on the [company stored] route is QUBEE. When we were close to QUBEE; we asked for a heading since there was a discontinuity after that fix. ATC instructed us to go direct FNT. After we landed; they gave us a number to call. We actually flew the intended route and went direct FNT after QUBEE so there wasn't a deviation. ATC said that several crews had asked the similar question and they just wanted to clear up what our crews were expected to do once over QUBEE.
Confusion reigned between ATC and the flight crew of a B737NG with respect to both track and altitude as the flight approached its destination. An FMC stored company route which ended at a fix prior to the destination airport was cited as a contributing factor.