EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Training / Qualification
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
We were given a clearance from to descend to FL320 and then to descend via the TRUPS3 arrival. I was descending in FPA mode and before we leveled off at FL320 I set the lowest altitude on the arrival in the alt select window. The plane descended below FL320; which was ok; but I didn't want to descend that early so I climbed about 600' back up to FL320. I then selected VNAV and reselected the lowest altitude on the arrival. As we were climbing; the controller asked us what we were doing. We told him that we were climbing back up to FL320 before descending via the arrival. The controller then told us that once we go below that altitude that we were not allowed to go back up to it. I did not know this as I thought we were cleared from FL320 and below. There were no traffic conflicts and the rest of the flight continued without incident.I did not realize at the time that what I was doing was not allowed as the controller said. I know now not to do this again. Looking back; I should have asked the controller if I could go back up to FL320 or level off at an altitude below; before intercepting the glidepath of the arrival.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
EMB-175 flight crew was cleared to descend to FL320 then via the TRUPS3 arrival. The Captain descended through FL320; which was acceptable; but had intended to stop at FL320 and climbed back up. This resulted in an admonishment from ATC.