B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 180
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors; Airspace Structure
Cleared by ATC to descend RAVNN6 from cruise altitude FL390. Landing Runway was 10 and FMC was programmed accordingly. No handoff was given by Washington Center to either low control or Potomac Approach. Both FO and myself were monitoring Guard 121.5. Neither one of us noted a lost communications call for any aircraft during our descent. As we approached the final altitude of 6000 feet; at RAVNN; I asked ATC if they would like us to contact Approach. ATC responded that he did not know who we were; or our position. I told him we were on the RAVNN6 going to BWI and he gave us frequency to Approach. Made brief contact with ATC and switched to final Controller. Final Controller cleared us to descend to 4000 ft and left us on our routing for Runway 10. Shortly after ANCRR intersection; a green laser light was observed from our 10 o'clock position. I assumed the aircraft was being targeted by an unauthorized laser. ATC asked if we had observed any flashing lights off our left side. I responded we did; realizing they were for the restricted airspace over Washington DC. We remained on the RAVNN6 transition for RWY 10 until we were vectored off the arrival for visual approach. After landing Ground Control requested our tail number. No explanation was given.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
B737 crew descending into BWI reported not receiving a handoff from ZDC to PCT TRACON. They queried ATC on the handoff and were switched over to PCT where soon after they noticed ground based laser activity directed at them realizing it was due to the restricted airspace over Washington DC. ATC also asked them of the laser activity soon after and requested their tail number upon landing with no further explanation.