Medium Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Troubleshooting; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Human Factors; Procedure
We departed MKE and were assigned the UECKR 1 departure. The first fix is PRFEC and is an 'Expect to cross at 8;000 feet.'  We were already assigned 8;000 feet when we were cleared direct to PRFEC but were not told to cross PRFEC at 8;000. A few moments later ATC assigned us to; 'Climb via the SID except maintain 13;000.' The rest of the fixes on the SID were; 'At or above'.  When we were given this clearance we had not reached PRFEC yet and I started a climb to 13;000. The Captain and pilot observing; asked me a few minutes later if I thought we should have crossed PRFEC at 8000; as we were assigned to climb via SID. I thought that when a fix says; 'Expect' it's not mandatory even in a climb via or descend via unless ATC specifically states that is what they want. I am not sure if this is correct and cannot find any information specifically addressing this question. It is usually not an issue but in this situation we were unsure as a flight crew on what the correct thing to do was. ATC never queried us; however we thought it would be good to file a report just in case.Query ATC if unsure on the instructions.
CRJ-200 crew depart MKE on the UECKR 1 departure. Initial altitude was to climb to 8;000. Controller told pilots to 'Climb via the SID except maintain 13;000.' Pilots questioned each other if they were to cross PRFEC at 8;000 and continue via the SID. Aircraft was not at PRFEC yet.