Narrative:

Upon arrival into atl after 14 hrs and 30 minutes in flight; we were cleared by ATC on the canuck 7 arrival to 'descend and transition via the 8 left transition'. At approximately 14;000 ft; we discussed the procedure; which indicated altitudes and speeds at [charted] waypoints. After agreeing; we began a descent for the next indicated waypoint; doevr; indicating '210 KT and 12;000 feet'. Upon acknowledging our clearance and the new frequency change; we began our descent and contacted our new approach controller. He immediately requested our previous clearance; we informed him we were cleared 'the 8 left transition' and were descending to the doevr specifications of 12;000 feet and 210 kts. He requested that we maintain 13;000 ft. Shortly thereafter he gave me a phone number for ATC to all after landing regarding a possible aircraft deviation. Upon arrival I contacted ATC regarding this. ATC's comment to me was; 'although the STAR indicates speed and altitudes requirements for each way point you are not authorized to proceed to those requirements. Some day we may; and intend to; utilize these restrictions; however; we do not use them at this time. Additionally; due to the fact that there was no conflict (of your aircraft and any other) there will be no write up and we are just explaining this to you for understanding'. The STAR clearly indicates; canuk 7 arrival.... Doevr 'at 12000 feet and 210 KT' followed by; nofiv at or above 7000 feet; and notre at 5000 ft'. ATC was very hospitable and generous. I listened and expressed my gratitude for the explanation. Suggestions; the STAR is ambiguous and needs to be more definitive. In real low weather conditions with work loads high there could be serious altitude deviations jeopardizing safety. It sounds like (from what I was told) the STAR was designed to be something they will utilize 'some day' but not now. That does not make sense to me.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier inbound to ATL was issued a CANUK7 STAR; initiated compliance with altitude/speed restrictions but was questioned by ATC regarding same.

Narrative: Upon arrival into ATL after 14 hrs and 30 minutes in flight; we were cleared by ATC on the CANUCK 7 arrival to 'descend and transition via the 8 Left Transition'. At approximately 14;000 ft; we discussed the procedure; which indicated altitudes and speeds at [charted] waypoints. After agreeing; we began a descent for the next indicated waypoint; DOEVR; indicating '210 KT AND 12;000 FEET'. Upon acknowledging our clearance and the new frequency change; we began our descent and contacted our new approach controller. He immediately requested our previous clearance; we informed him we were cleared 'the 8 Left Transition' and were descending to the DOEVR specifications of 12;000 feet and 210 kts. He requested that we maintain 13;000 ft. Shortly thereafter he gave me a phone number for ATC to all after landing regarding a possible aircraft deviation. Upon arrival I contacted ATC regarding this. ATC's comment to me was; 'ALTHOUGH THE STAR INDICATES SPEED AND ALTITUDES REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH WAY POINT YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO PROCEED TO THOSE REQUIREMENTS. SOME DAY WE MAY; AND INTEND TO; UTILIZE THESE RESTRICTIONS; HOWEVER; WE DO NOT USE THEM AT THIS TIME. ADDITIONALLY; DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE WAS NO CONFLICT (of your aircraft and any other) THERE WILL BE NO WRITE UP AND WE ARE JUST EXPLAINING THIS TO YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING'. The STAR clearly indicates; CANUK 7 ARRIVAL.... DOEVR 'AT 12000 FEET AND 210 KT' followed by; NOFIV AT OR ABOVE 7000 FEET; AND NOTRE AT 5000 FT'. ATC was very hospitable and generous. I listened and expressed my gratitude for the explanation. Suggestions; the STAR is ambiguous and needs to be more definitive. In real low weather conditions with work loads high there could be serious altitude deviations jeopardizing safety. It sounds like (from what I was told) the STAR was designed to be something they will utilize 'some day' but not now. That does not make sense to me.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.