Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 5.0
Confusion; Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Undershoot; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Chart Or Publication; Procedure
Aircraft X departed ZZZ on the TERPZ6 OTTTO transition. Aircraft X checks in 'OUT OF 2000 FOR 4000 VIA THE TERPZ6'. Aircraft X is radar identified and instructed to 'CLIMB VIA THE TERPZ6 DEPARTURE'. The top charted altitude for the OTTTO transition is 17000 feet; but Aircraft X levels off at 4000 feet. The controller notices Aircraft X level off and instructs him that he should be climbing to 17000 feet. The aircraft replies 'WELL THEN YOU WOULD HAVE TO CLEAR ME TO THAT; RIGHT?' The controller begins to explain that the 'CLIMB VIA' instruction from departure deletes the 4000 foot exception that the tower issues the aircraft. The pilot is clearly confused since there is a crossing altitude at FOXHL of at or Above 17000 feet. The pilot states 'HE HAS NEVER HEARD OF THAT BEFORE' and later says 'HE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THAT AT ALL; THE CROSSING ALTITUDE IS AT OR ABOVE SEVENTEEN; and YOU HAVE TO CLEAR ME THERE FIRST'. At this point; other pilots begin chiming in on frequency telling Aircraft X where he can find the top altitude listed on his chart; and no other pilots were questioning the CLIMB VIA instruction. Meanwhile; the controller is moderately busy; working combined positions; with ZNY calling on the line; and the controller has been informed of an ELT in her area. Work load is high and moderately complex. This is the absolute worst time to answer several questions on frequency about a procedure that the pilot was clearly not proficient at. It disrupts scan; causes an unnecessary distraction; and greatly increased frequency congestion. [Air Carrier] pilots have routinely questioned CLIMB VIA instructions off ZZZ. Recommend they develop a training plan to brief pilots flying to ZZZ specifically regarding the TERPZ6 departure.
A TRACON Controller reported an air carrier pilot was not familiar with 'Climb Via' phraseology and leveled at an interim altitude unnecessarily.