Narrative:

Had printed; acknowledged and signed release 1 in sydney operations; and conducted oral briefing with dispatcher via telephone. Proceeded to aircraft for preflight duties. About 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure time; an agent arrived at the cockpit with a fuel slip. The fuel slip and fuel on board was about 3000 less than gate fuel on the release. Opened my electronic flight bag (efb) only to discover that we were on release 3. We had had no communication whatsoever from dispatcher since phone conversation regarding an amended release; much less a change in the fuel load. I contacted operations and asked if they could print a current flight plan and deliver to cockpit. Contacted dispatcher via satellite phone from cockpit.my first inquiry was why is our fuel load less than the load that was reflected on the release I signed and discussed with him? His first answer was a confidence shattering; 'I have no idea.' that was not what I expected to hear. I was on the cockpit speaker; and conversation was heard by all crewmembers. The dispatcher made reference to a change in crewmembers. I asked him if he was getting us mixed up with another flight. There was a long pause and some unintelligible mumble. He then seemed to gather his thoughts and said; 'oh yes; release 2 was for a zero fuel weight (ZFW) reduction.' I asked how a 5000 ZFW reduction translated to a 3000 fuel reduction. It seemed out of proportion. (I had yet to see the new release/flight plan). He ran the figures past me along with the fuel on destination. I indicated that I was satisfied with his explanation and that when I received a copy of the new flight plan; that I would call him back if I had any questions.I find it unconscionable that any flight; much less an ultra-long haul international flight release would be amended without positive contact with the captain; after a release has been signed and discussed with the dispatcher.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier Captain reported a breakdown in communications with dispatch; when a flight release was amended with a different fuel load; prior to positive contact with the flight crew.

Narrative: Had printed; acknowledged and signed Release 1 in Sydney Operations; and conducted oral briefing with dispatcher via telephone. Proceeded to aircraft for preflight duties. About 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure time; an agent arrived at the cockpit with a fuel slip. The fuel slip and Fuel on Board was about 3000 less than gate fuel on the release. Opened my Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) only to discover that we were on Release 3. We had had no communication whatsoever from dispatcher since phone conversation regarding an amended release; much less a change in the fuel load. I contacted Operations and asked if they could print a current flight plan and deliver to cockpit. Contacted dispatcher via satellite phone from cockpit.My first inquiry was why is our fuel load less than the load that was reflected on the release I signed and discussed with him? His first answer was a confidence shattering; 'I have no idea.' That was not what I expected to hear. I was on the cockpit speaker; and conversation was heard by all crewmembers. The dispatcher made reference to a change in crewmembers. I asked him if he was getting us mixed up with another flight. There was a long pause and some unintelligible mumble. He then seemed to gather his thoughts and said; 'Oh yes; Release 2 was for a Zero Fuel Weight (ZFW) reduction.' I asked how a 5000 ZFW reduction translated to a 3000 fuel reduction. It seemed out of proportion. (I had yet to see the new release/flight plan). He ran the figures past me along with the Fuel on Destination. I indicated that I was satisfied with his explanation and that when I received a copy of the new flight plan; that I would call him back if I had any questions.I find it unconscionable that any flight; much less an ultra-long haul international flight release would be amended without positive contact with the Captain; after a release has been signed and discussed with the dispatcher.

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.