Widebody Transport
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 11
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Procedure
Aircraft Y requested to transition SFO Bravo airspace from the north to south at 3;500 feet which would involve crossing the runway departure corridor. The pilot stated it looked like a departure was on takeoff roll and questioned whether or not it was a problem for them. I then noticed the radar target off the departure end and informed the pilot that the departure would be restricted to 3;000 feet. Aircraft X checked in and I believe he said he was climbing to 3;000 feet. I issued traffic to Aircraft X; but don't recall if he said he had it in sight. For informational purpose I told the pilot of Aircraft Y that it is standard procedure that runway departures are restricted to 3;000 feet as a safety measure for transitioning aircraft. The pilot of Aircraft X overheard the conversation and said he was not issued a 3;000 feet restriction. Although I'm not sure; he may have said he stopped at 3;000 feet because of the traffic I issued. There was no TCAS event nor did the conflict alert sound.With the mix of departure procedures and the new airspace procedures in use it is possible the tower did not issue the 3;000 feet restriction via PDC. The new airspace procedures have the restriction built-in. I would recommend; if possible; the 3;000 foot restriction is added to the departures when sent via PDC.
New departure procedures at SFO have a 3;000 foot published restriction for departures. Previous departure procedures are still issued to some aircraft due to aircraft capabilities. The previous departure procedures do not have the 3;000 foot restriction. The Controller had 3;500 foot Class B airspace crossing traffic. The Controller thought departing jet traffic was restricted to 3;000 feet; but it was not because it was still flying the old departure procedure.