Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 227.7; Flight Crew Total 15000; Flight Crew Type 6000
Troubleshooting; Workload
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Hazardous Material Violation; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
The ground problem began when the Ramp Agent came to the cockpit to tell us he was loading batteries in the rear pit and he had specific procedures to follow to surround these with a certain number of bags. He thought these were lithium batteries but wasn't sure; but he was told these batteries were hazardous material. However; he was sure that these items were not dangerous goods so we departed with his assurance. Once airborne; I began to question my trust in the agent and should have asked more people to be involved in determining the classification of these items.ATC then gave us many more unnecessary threats upon entrance into ZZZ airspace; rerouted [RNAV Arrival ZZZZZ3] which added 15 mins and cost over 1000 lbs. of gas. This put us at 4.9 EFOB. I stated that I could then accept no delays and asked for reason for reroute. Gate deconfliction was given as reason and then we were rerouted back to [RNAV Arrival ZZZZZ3]. Shortly after this we were reissued [RNAV Arrival ZZZZZ2] and a descend via. We followed the STAR plate and set up for [Runway] XXR even though this runway was NOTAM'd closed - bottom parameters at HOOTI 210/6000 . Upon contact with ZZZ approach; we were given Runway XXL assignment with no change in descend via - bottom parameters at ZZZZZ1 210/8000. Then as we continued closer; we were given Runway XY with no change in descend via - bottom parameters at ZZZZZ2 210/4000. The ONLY reason we did not have an altitude violation was due to our VVM and attention to detail. Flight landed and taxied to gate without further incident.
A320 Captain reported receiving unspecified batteries from Ramp Agent who erroneously informed flight crew batteries were not classified as Hazmat. Flight departed without information verification.