Citation X (C750)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Procedure; Human Factors
Received a clearance for the CAPITAL 9 SID out of IAD with the exception to climb and maintain 8 thousand. On taxi-out; ground called to confirm our routing. After departing runway 30 we switched over to Departure and checked in saying 4 thousand climbing 8 thousand. Departure replied 'You're climbing to what?' Our response was 'climbing to 8 thousand.' Departure replied 'I don't know where you got that sir; you should have been capped at 3'. Departure continued with a heading assignment and a 'Climb to 10 thousand.' We replied with the climb to 10 thousand and advised Departure that we were given 'Climb via; except for maintain 8 thousand'. Departure asked who we got that clearance from; we responded with 'Clearance.' Departure asked 'climb via what?' Our response was 'The Capital 9 departure climb; except up to 8 thousand.' Departure replied; 'Ok. That should have been capped at 3 sir.' Departure then replied; 'But; no blood; no foul!'
CE-750 Captain reported Departure Control questioned the altitude clearance they were given by Clearance Delivery.