Narrative:

On the ZZZZZ5 arrival into ZZZ; ZZZ center left us approximately 5;000 feet above our VNAV profile. The last clearance received from center was to descend and maintain 13;000. I checked in with approach descending to 13;000; not via the arrival. Upon arrival at zzzzz [fix]; I requested lower twice from approach. Based on the altitude indicated on the arrival; we were approximately 5;000 feet high at that fix. After the second request for lower; the approach controller responded with 'weren't you cleared to descend via?' I responded 'no.' he immediately issued us a descent to 4;000 and cleared us for the ILS approach. At this point we were still trying to 'catch up' with altitudes. The controller came back and issued us descent to 2;500. The captain queried the controller if we were cleared for the ILS and he responded affirmatively. The captain had us in LNAV/VNAV and selected 1;600 feet for the FAF. I was configuring the aircraft when we leveled off at 1;600 feet. I looked outside; saw we were looking 'flat' for the approach and then the controller issued us a low altitude alert. I responded that we had the field in sight. We maintained altitude until crossing the FAF; continued on the visual approach and landed without incident. We were confused that the aircraft did not descend to the proper altitude on the approach and after discussion concluded that the VNAV path did not capture. We also discussed that the VNAV had been written up recently; but it is unclear if it was related. [Causes were] ZZZ center leaving us high on the arrival and not clearing us to descend via the arrival. ZZZ1 approach control not listening to the check in and assuming we were cleared to descend via. Our decision to continue knowing we were behind the descent profile. I have had ZZZ center leave me high on this arrival every time I have flown it. Controllers are task saturated right now with operating multiple sectors. This may account for leaving us high and also the approach controller not comprehending the information given on check in. We were left high and instead of asking for vectors to lose altitude; we continued.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier flight crew reported the flight was left high by ATC on arrival which contributed to missing step down altitudes and receiving a low altitude alert as the flight descended.

Narrative: On the ZZZZZ5 arrival into ZZZ; ZZZ Center left us approximately 5;000 feet above our VNAV profile. The last clearance received from center was to descend and maintain 13;000. I checked in with approach descending to 13;000; NOT via the arrival. Upon arrival at ZZZZZ [fix]; I requested lower twice from approach. Based on the altitude indicated on the arrival; we were approximately 5;000 feet high at that fix. After the second request for lower; the Approach Controller responded with 'weren't you cleared to descend via?' I responded 'no.' He immediately issued us a descent to 4;000 and cleared us for the ILS approach. At this point we were still trying to 'catch up' with altitudes. The Controller came back and issued us descent to 2;500. The Captain queried the controller if we were cleared for the ILS and he responded affirmatively. The Captain had us in LNAV/VNAV and selected 1;600 feet for the FAF. I was configuring the aircraft when we leveled off at 1;600 feet. I looked outside; saw we were looking 'flat' for the approach and then the Controller issued us a low altitude alert. I responded that we had the field in sight. We maintained altitude until crossing the FAF; continued on the visual approach and landed without incident. We were confused that the aircraft did not descend to the proper altitude on the approach and after discussion concluded that the VNAV PATH did not capture. We also discussed that the VNAV had been written up recently; but it is unclear if it was related. [Causes were] ZZZ Center leaving us high on the arrival and not clearing us to descend via the arrival. ZZZ1 approach control not listening to the check in and assuming we were cleared to descend via. Our decision to continue knowing we were behind the descent profile. I have had ZZZ Center leave me high on this arrival every time I have flown it. Controllers are task saturated right now with operating multiple sectors. This may account for leaving us high and also the approach controller not comprehending the information given on check in. We were left high and instead of asking for vectors to lose altitude; we continued.

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.