Narrative:

Our cpdlc clearance was the ORCKA1; except maintain 5000 feet. After taking off of runway 24L; we were soon cleared to 12000 feet with a left turn direct to klipr. When inbound to klipr; departure control cleared us to climb via SID. We made the restriction of 10000 at klipr and leveled off at 12000 feet. We were approaching keggs; which has an altitude restriction between 13000 feet and 19000 feet. The pilot flying and I were discussing our altitude clearance when departure control said that he noticed that we had leveled at 12000 feet and was having trouble with this SID all day. He asked us what we would like to hear for a climb clearance; and I suggested that he say; 'climb via SID to FL230.' as a result of our little discussion; we started our climb too late to make the altitude restriction at keggs; crossing at about 12300 feet. Throughout the ATC system; pilots climb and descend to destination; or limit; altitudes; and do not fly through restrictions. Even on stars; when descending via; the destination altitude is the altitude set for the runway transition. I understand that this is new phraseology for sids and stars; but in this case; the instructions are incomplete. Saying only to 'climb via SID' told us how to climb; but not where to climb to. Our altitude restriction as we understood it was 12000 feet.I suggest that the phraseology be amended; particularly with sids; to ensure that pilots know what altitude they are flying to as well as how they will fly to it. This is in keeping with the rest of the ATC system. I suggested to the departure controller to say; 'climb via SID to FL230.' or perhaps say 'climb via SID to top of SID.'

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier pilot reported they misunderstood Departure Controller's altitude assignment due to new phraseology associated with new OAPM RNAV departures.

Narrative: Our CPDLC Clearance was the ORCKA1; except maintain 5000 feet. After taking off of Runway 24L; we were soon cleared to 12000 feet with a left turn direct to KLIPR. When inbound to KLIPR; Departure control cleared us to climb via SID. We made the restriction of 10000 at KLIPR and leveled off at 12000 feet. We were approaching KEGGS; which has an altitude restriction between 13000 feet and 19000 feet. The pilot flying and I were discussing our altitude clearance when Departure Control said that he noticed that we had leveled at 12000 feet and was having trouble with this SID all day. He asked us what we would like to hear for a climb clearance; and I suggested that he say; 'Climb via SID to FL230.' As a result of our little discussion; we started our climb too late to make the altitude restriction at KEGGS; crossing at about 12300 feet. Throughout the ATC system; pilots climb and descend to destination; or limit; altitudes; and do not fly through restrictions. Even on STARs; when descending via; the destination altitude is the altitude set for the runway transition. I understand that this is new phraseology for SIDs and STARs; but in this case; the instructions are incomplete. Saying only to 'Climb via SID' told us how to climb; but not where to climb to. Our altitude restriction as we understood it was 12000 feet.I suggest that the phraseology be amended; particularly with SIDs; to ensure that pilots know what altitude they are flying to as well as how they will fly to it. This is in keeping with the rest of the ATC system. I suggested to the Departure controller to say; 'Climb via SID to FL230.' Or perhaps say 'Climb via SID to top of SID.'

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.