B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Undershoot; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Human Factors; Procedure
Climbing out of LAX on the ORCKA1 departure we were at 14;000 climbing to 15;000 ATC gave us a climb via SID; but maintain 15;000. New ATC said climb via SID. We level at 15;000 ATC told us climb via SID; climb to 23;000 the top alt on the ORCKA1. We climbed to FL230.Climb via SID wanted us to climb to the top alt on the SID. All ATC in the last 20 years have given us climb to 23;000 or an altitude we need to go to.
To my knowledge no flight deviation occurred on this trip. We were assigned the ORCKA1 departure with a limit alt of 15;000 feet. On departure; we were cleared climb via SID except maintain 15;000 feet. While in level flight we were given a frequency change. The FO checked in and read our previous clearance and the controller read back 'roger climb via SID'. There was no altitude given in the clearance and we thought we were still only cleared to 15000. There were no other restrictions on the SID but the final alt is FL230. At the next fix the controller questioned us about it and we questioned back. He then issued us a clearance to FL230 and the rest of the flight was uneventful. My concern is that we are playing games at the expense of safety. On the way into LAX we were given three descents on the STAR that were 'descend via except' and on the way out it was two. Neither the FO nor I had a clue that our clearance had changed; and we just want to do it right every time. I think if you have been given a restricted clearance by a controller and another controller wants something different the altitude should be in that next clearance.
B737 flight crew reported being cleared to climb via the ORCKA1 except maintain 15;000 feet. Level at 15;000 feet; the next Controller issued a climb via SID clearance which confused the crew and they remained at 15;000 feet while ATC intended them to the top altitude on the SID.