B737-700
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 228
Situational Awareness
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
Departed and checked in with NorCal Approach at 1500 FT stating; 'Company Flight Number; passing 1500 FT for 2000 FT restriction.' The reply was; 'Company Flight Number; roger.' We were then vectored toward SFO and remained at 2000 FT. Once over the city; we were vectored to a heading of 090 and a climb to 15;000 FT. As we turned; I visually saw a large tower just below our altitude (1800 FT) and I asked the First Officer to expedite the climb since the 090 heading put us close to the tower location. ATC then asked; 'What altitude did the Tower give you?' I stated they didn't. The issue becomes; what are we required to do once we meet the 2000 FT restriction at 4 DME with no further climb assigned by the Tower? Our clearance before departure was Climb Via the SID except maintain 10;000 FT. The departure information on the SID needs to be more precise in its wording and the 4 DME 2000 FT restriction needs to be made a specific NAV fix like ROPPR on the LAS departures.
B737-700 Captain reported confusion complying with his clearance departing OAK on a 'climb via' procedure. Reporter stated he was concerned about obstacle clearance and unclear on when he could resume climb to his cleared altitude of 10;000 FT after meeting the 2;000 FT restriction at 4 DME.