Date: 201409
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: ZHU.ARTCC, TX
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Night
Aircraft: B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Flight phase: Descent
Airspace: Class A ZHU
ATC / advisory: Center ZHU
Aircraft component: Altitude Alert
Component problem: Improperly Operated
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: First Officer
Human factors: Distraction; Confusion; Human-Machine Interface; Communication Breakdown; Training / Qualification
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Contributing factors: Chart Or Publication; Human Factors; Procedure
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: Enroute to HOU and filed the BELLR1 RNAV Arrival; we were cleared direct to BELLR by HOU ATC. After a hand-off to another HOU ATC Controller we were issued the following clearance; 'Company Flight Number; descend via the BELLR 1.' I asked HOU; 'for clarification; are we also cleared [via] a runway transition. HOU ATC stated 'negative.' He did not have runway information. At first; the Captain set 11;000 in the MCP to correspond to the BELLR crossing restriction of 11;000 to 13;000. Upon closer review of the arrival; the ROUTING section states 'from BELLR; on track 049 to HNTRR' where HNTRR has a crossing restriction of 8000 to 10;000 at 210 knots. I asked the Captain if he thought we should set 8000 in the MCP versus 11;000? To clarify; I called HOU ATC by asking; 'HOU; Company Flight Number; for clarification; what altitude are you expecting us to descend to on the BELLR?' There was a slight pause; an initial confused answer; and then he stated; 'I think 11;000 to 13;000 at BELLR.' The Captain left 11;000 in the MCP. Shortly after that confusing exchange; we were handed off to HOU Approach. I checked in; stating; 'Company Flight Number; leaving 15;000; descending via the BELLR 1 RNAV Arrival.' HOU Approach acknowledged and stated 'expect Runway 4.' I called back asking if we are then cleared the Runway 4 transition. HOU Approach stated 'yes.' I then followed up with; 'Copy; descend via the BELLR 1; Runway 4 transition.' After receiving the confirmation from HOU Approach; the Captain then set 6000 in the MCP to correspond to the restriction at GEEEO.Keep stressing RNAV descend via arrival training and proper terminology for both Pilots and ATC'Enroute to HOU and filed the BELLR1 RNAV Arrival; we were cleared direct to BELLR by HOU ATC. After a hand-off to another HOU ATC Controller we were issued the following clearance; 'Company Flight Number; descend via the BELLR 1.' I asked HOU; 'for clarification; are we also cleared [via] a runway transition. ' HOU ATC stated 'negative.' He did not have runway information. At first; the Captain set 11;000 in the MCP to correspond to the BELLR crossing restriction of 11;000 to 13;000. Upon closer review of the arrival; the ROUTING section states 'from BELLR; on track 049 to HNTRR' where HNTRR has a crossing restriction of 8000 to 10;000 at 210 knots. I asked the Captain if he thought we should set 8000 in the MCP versus 11;000? To clarify; I called HOU ATC by asking; 'HOU; Company Flight Number; for clarification; what altitude are you expecting us to descend to on the BELLR?' There was a slight pause; an initial confused answer; and then he stated; 'I think 11;000 to 13;000 at BELLR.' The Captain left 11;000 in the MCP. Shortly after that confusing exchange; we were handed off to HOU Approach. I checked in; stating; 'Company Flight Number; leaving 15;000; descending via the BELLR 1 RNAV Arrival.' HOU Approach acknowledged and stated 'expect Runway 4.' I called back asking if we are then cleared the Runway 4 transition. HOU Approach stated 'yes.' I then followed up with; 'Copy; descend via the BELLR 1; Runway 4 transition.' After receiving the confirmation from HOU Approach; the Captain then set 6000 in the MCP to correspond to the restriction at GEEEO.Keep stressing RNAV descend via arrival training and proper terminology for both Pilots and ATC.'




Synopsis: When the B737 flight crew was cleared to 'descend via' the BELLR RNAV STAR to HOU; ATC was unable to provide the planned landing runway. When the flight crew then asked to what altitude they were; therefore; cleared to descend the Controller's response was delayed; and ultimately equivocal; when the response began with; 'I think between 11;000 and 13;000 at BELLR' although the STAR continued to HNTRR which is to be crossed between 10;000 and 8;000 and at 210K.