Medium Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 15
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Distraction; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance
Human Factors; Procedure
I was riding jumpseat out of BNA. We had switched to ZME and were climbing out assigned FL230. We switched frequencies and I'm somewhat uncertain what altitude we were assigned but I believe I recall FL340. I do recall the two pilots via the intercom/headsets reading back FL340 and putting it in the FMS.I believe we switched frequencies again and checked on with the next sector. The controller told us to expect higher soon. The pilots were puzzled and got into their flight plan paperwork and saw that the company had requested 260 as a final.Shortly thereafter the TCAS turned yellow and another aircraft went by opposite direction around 3 miles lateral and 600 vertical. Center urgently asked say altitude assigned; First Officer (FO) read back FL340. They asked who assigned it and FO said the previous controller. I confirmed with the crew my recollection of the events and it matched up.I'm unsure if the FO checked on with the next sector and said what altitude they were climbing to. If he didn't it should be required. I may have missed some of this because I could hear the pilots much louder on the intercom/headset than I could hear the frequencies. Also there were a lot of aircraft blocking each other and the center out on this trip.
A BNA Controller; while riding jumpseat hears and confirms with pilots an altitude assignment. Minutes later an aircraft passes with less than standard separation. A working Controller asks the pilot to say altitude and pilot reports altitude. The Controller asks who gave you that altitude and pilot reports that the last Controller did. The flight plan of aircraft was only up to FL260.