B777 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors; Procedure
Standard EWR4 04L departure: climb maintain 3;000 ft. Upon contact with first departure control on 119.2 we were issued only a climb to 5;000 ft. clearance. Remained on SID. Next controller; 120.4; issued a right turn to 090 and climb to 10;000 ft. and then shortly after excitedly asks about what are we doing? We respond that we are in a right turn for 090 hdg and climbing to 10;000 ft. He sounds flustered and revises our climb clearance to climb to 8;000 ft. End of discussion. No verbal threats from ATC! My speculation: Almost always on this SID the first departure controller turns us right to 040 hdg and climbs us. As we were still not cleared to leave the SID and headed westerly when switched to 120.4; I'm guessing the second controller was surprised we were not already in a right turn as is most usual.
Pilot reported receiving confusing altitude and heading instructions on departure from EWR.