Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Workload; Confusion; Distraction; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Procedure; Human Factors
There apparently was some confusion when we were handed off to each controller as to what arrival we were supposed to be on. We were about 100 or so miles from CVE VOR. The controller changed our arrival into Houston to the RIICE SEVEN arrival. We were then handed off to another Fort Worth Center controller who told us to direct to REFYN; which was a intersection not on the arrival that we were assigned. We inquired and were then told to go direct to TORNN. The next center controller tried to give us another fix that was not on the assigned arrival. We had to again inform them of the assigned arrival that we were on was the RIICE SEVEN. We were then told to cross RIICE at 16000 feet and 280 knots; which we complied with. After passing RIICE; I then began to set up for the approach. While my captain was on the radios; Houston approach controller asked why were we were not descending via the arrival. We were not given any further descent clearance after RIICE. We were then cleared down to 6000 feet and then onto another approach controller who lead us onto the approach. I suggest that when on an assigned arrival; when we get handed off to another controller; state call sign; flight number; altitude; and assigned arrival.
Pilot reports of confusion of which arrival to fly into their destination because controllers changed it a few times.