B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200; Flight Crew Total 14000; Flight Crew Type 2800
Confusion; Training / Qualification
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
Departing on TRALR5 out of LAS.....PDC said climb via SID.......we climbed via SID to 13000 [feet] as it CLEARLY states from TRALR climb to FL190. The way PF read it was stop at 13000 [feet] and after TRALR climb to FL190. ATC was a little upset and not helpful about it so we climbed to FL190. I would like to point out the chart of the TRAILER5 is not very clear; and the top altitude is hidden at bottom of page and NOT in BOLD print....very easy to miss. I think ATC has put too much weight on Climb via SID and not putting the top altitude on the PDC which would make it easier and safer for the pilots who are trying to depart a complicated and busy terminal area such as LAS. I noticed IAH has started to put TOP ALTITUDE on the PDC as well as EWR etc.....why can't LAS? Also it is hard to catch on the iPad Jeppesen pro as it is NOT in bold print as it should be!
Departed LAS Runway 1R on the TRALR5 SID. On the routing part of the plate it states 'From TRALR via transition. MAINTAIN FL190; Expect filed altitude 10 minutes after departure.' We climbed and crossed RIOOS at 13;000 [feet] and leveled off with the intent of climbing to FL190 after TRALR since the MAINTAIN FL190 followed 'From TRALR via transition.' The controller said to continue climb to FL190. Not aware of any ATC conflicts although the controller seemed agitated.
B737 flight crew reports leveling at 13;000 feet crossing RIOOS on the TRALR5 with the intention of climbing to FL190 after passing TRALR; as stated in the routing box. ATC is not happy with this interpretation of the verbiage and the crew is told to continue climb to FL190.