Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (mon) 6
Troubleshooting; Situational Awareness; Human-Machine Interface; Distraction; Confusion; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic
Company Policy; Human Factors; Procedure
Aircraft X was an eastbound climber into my sector from sector 32. I was distracted working with other issues to the south and Aircraft X checked on most likely level at FL350 with FL370 and a climb arrow in his data block. I obviously didn't hear it. Minutes later I noticed on my scan the aircraft level at FL350 and a limited data block on a northbound aircraft in sector 32's airspace. I quickly surmised that the aircraft was given FL350 and handed off to me shown as climbing to FL370. So I asked Aircraft X his assigned altitude and he said; 'FL350 but we would like FL370;' and I cleared the aircraft up. This issue has been going on for a while so I called sector 32 and asked; 'hey; are you using something like a dwell lock to remind you when an aircraft needs clearance still as Aircraft X was level at 350?' He said; 'sometimes stuff just happens.' I was like (WOW) in my head and had no real response except to say; 'you might file a report on that one.' Of course my emotions ran high inside and very irritated at the response.According to the 7110.65 an aircraft should be handed off and shipped to the altitude it was assigned. Anything else is dangerous because of memory lapse and aircraft leveling in possible confliction with traffic they would normally miss if given the correct altitude. Area North needs to have a briefing for all controls to return to the basics. If this is happening this often with me; then I am sure with others it is occurring and they are not reporting it.
ZOA Controller reported seeing a confusing data block. Controller checked with pilot and then called transferring Controller to verify what had been done. Reporter then discussed the actions with the transferring Controller.