B737-300
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 144
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure
Washington Center cleared us to descend via the MALNR Arrival landing southwest. Note 6 on the arrival states that the 'landing southwest' transition requires selection of Runway 23R. Since 23R at RDU was closed; we questioned ATC as to whether we should still fly this arrival and transition. As stated on the approach plate; and as repeated by ATC; fly the arrival as assigned and RDU Approach will assign the runway. Accordingly; we flew the 23R arrival; which is a westerly arrival. RDU Approach questioned us as to why we were flying the 23R arrival versus the 23L arrival. Called and talked with the Supervisor upon arrival who said it wasn't a problem and ATC should not have issued that clearance. He stated there was no problem except they expected us to fly the 23L transition. That is actually what we expected to and is why we questioned ATC. It did cause confusion with RDU Approach Control.
Air carrier arrival to RDU was questioned by the TRACON regarding the assigned 'runway transition'; the reporter indicating the Center clearance coupled with the written notes on the STAR caused the confusion.