B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Speed All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors; Manuals; Procedure; Airspace Structure; Company Policy
Center cleared us Direct JOVIM direct TUS; ATIS reported to expect the visual app; cleared to cross JOVIM 14000 feet 280 knots. Just prior to JOVIM approach says expect RNAV GPS to 29R. Then tells us to turn to intercept final app course. I have no idea what he means we are now turning to go direct TUS as previously cleared. We ask what he means and approach repeats; 'turn to intercept final approach'. I had the approach loaded in the box but did not select JOVIM transition. I turned toward ATOGE. Told controller we needs a fix. Still not cleared for the approach or the visual. Approach says go to VEDTU which is after JOVIM. So reloaded the arrival got headed to VEDTU. Finally cleared for the approach landed uneventful. The whole event was nonstandard. Was late to slow below 10k due to total lack of understanding of the clearance.Event was due to nonstandard approach clearance 'turn to intercept final approach course' with no approach clearance given. If he wanted us to fly the RNAV GPS 29R he need to give us clearance before JOVIM or past JOVIM a vector to a fix on the approach.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
B737-800 flight crew reported receiving an amended approach clearance with nonstandard confusing phraseology.