Narrative:

We received clearance via pre departure clearance to climb via the almdn 3 SID from sjc. The almdn 3 SID shows 15;000 ft as the top altitude. However right underneath that in the routing box the text states to 'maintain FL190 or lower filed altitude.' having two different altitudes listed leaves me unclear about what altitude is actually the top of this SID. I asked sjc clearance delivery via radio which altitude they expected us to climb to. Clearance was unsure. They then called norcal approach via landline to check. Norcal was also unsure. Our clearance was revised to alleviate the confusion in this instance; but this needs to be fixed. It is either a typo; or a very poorly worded and confusing procedure.change the almdn 3 SID to reflect only one top altitude in the next jeppesen chart cycle. Until this is accomplished; all clearances on this SID should specify the top altitude. For example; 'climb via the SID except maintain 15;000 ft.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 First Officer reported the SJC ALMDN3 RNAV SID listed two top altitudes with the first at 15;000 feet and the second at FL190. ATC was uncertain about which was correct.

Narrative: We received clearance via PDC to climb via the ALMDN 3 SID from SJC. The ALMDN 3 SID shows 15;000 ft as the top altitude. However right underneath that in the routing box the text states to 'MAINTAIN FL190 or lower filed altitude.' Having two different altitudes listed leaves me unclear about what altitude is actually the top of this SID. I asked SJC Clearance Delivery via radio which altitude they expected us to climb to. Clearance was unsure. They then called NorCal Approach via landline to check. NorCal was also unsure. Our clearance was revised to alleviate the confusion in this instance; but this needs to be fixed. It is either a typo; or a very poorly worded and confusing procedure.Change the ALMDN 3 SID to reflect only one top altitude in the next Jeppesen chart cycle. Until this is accomplished; all clearances on this SID should specify the top altitude. For example; 'Climb via the SID except maintain 15;000 ft.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.