Narrative:

Enroute we were getting closer than normal [without a descent clearance] so I tried to call ATC. There was no answer; so after a few attempts I contacted dispatch to ask for frequency we should be on. They responded right away; we called [ATC] and they informed us that they had been looking for us and we were way too high and it was going to be problematic. They vectored us and gave us lower from FL330 to FL240 I believe. And then told us that we had a pilot deviation and gave us a phone number.I was expecting faster descent and checked fuel. We asked how long and they said 'a while' and then I said fuel would be an issue soon. They turned us brought us lower and I called back and told them that we would be min fuel soon. They then turned us to the airport. We landed and while taxiing in got a low fuel caution message.I called ATC and they said that we had not maintained radio vigilance. And then told me that the last time we had contact was [about half an hour ago] to descend FL330 then they called us to hand us off however they called us [the wrong flight number]. We did not respond and they said they tried again with no response from us and for that I must believe them I do not remember that. Then as we were approaching [destination] we were planning tasks for descent and I started really listening hard because it seemed we were too high. I tried to call ATC a few times with no response.pay closer attention to the radio. And I also note that in fact that had happened on other flights that they call us [by the wrong call sign] often. Sometimes when you ask if the meant [our call sign] --- they are defensive and say I said that or you know what I meant; however that does not relieve me of the responsibility to maintain contact. However we were monitoring guard and ACARS was working.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: CRJ-700 flight crew reported they were out of communication with ATC for about half an hour; which ultimately caused a low fuel situation.

Narrative: Enroute we were getting closer than normal [without a descent clearance] so I tried to call ATC. There was no answer; so after a few attempts I contacted Dispatch to ask for frequency we should be on. They responded right away; we called [ATC] and they informed us that they had been looking for us and we were way too high and it was going to be problematic. They vectored us and gave us lower from FL330 to FL240 I believe. And then told us that we had a pilot deviation and gave us a phone number.I was expecting faster descent and checked fuel. We asked how long and they said 'a while' and then I said fuel would be an issue soon. They turned us brought us lower and I called back and told them that we would be min fuel soon. They then turned us to the airport. We landed and while taxiing in got a low fuel caution MSG.I called ATC and they said that we had not maintained Radio Vigilance. And then told me that the last time we had contact was [about half an hour ago] to descend FL330 then they called us to hand us off however they called us [the wrong flight number]. We did not respond and they said they tried again with no response from us and for that I must believe them I do not remember that. Then as we were approaching [destination] we were planning tasks for descent and I started really listening hard because it seemed we were too high. I tried to call ATC a few times with no response.Pay closer attention to the radio. And I also note that in fact that had happened on other flights that they call us [by the wrong call sign] often. Sometimes when you ask if the meant [our call sign] --- they are defensive and say I said that or you know what I meant; however that does not relieve me of the responsibility to maintain contact. However we were monitoring guard and ACARS was working.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.