B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 25000; Flight Crew Type 15000
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Chart Or Publication; Human Factors; Procedure
PDC stated CLIMB VIA SID (BNDTO1 SID). 4;000 feet was not mentioned in the PDC. The SID [provides] an altitude profile up to cruise altitude. It also states 'MAINTAIN 4;000 feet.' We expected that the CLIMB VIA clearance negated the 4;000 feet like it would if received in flight. It is ambiguous for the statement CLIMB VIA to mean something different on the ground that it does when airborne. Clearance should not state CLIMB VIA SID if ATC wants us to maintain 4;000 feet; then PDC should state maintain 4;000 feet CLIMB VIA should have only been issued by the Departure Controller.
A B737 First Officer expressed concern about the altitude dichotomies on the BNDTO RNAV SID from IAH; believing that a 'climb via' clearance is incompatible with a procedure that depicts both 'at or below 500' and 'at or above 13;000 feet' restrictions during the climb to cruise but also contains a 'ROUTING' note advising all departures to maintain 4;000 feet. Reporter believes their airways' clearance should have stated cleared via the procedure; maintain 4;000 feet and the 'climb via' the SID clearance given only by departure control as appropriate.