Originally Posted by
JungleBus
This! An actual conversation that took place this morning:
(While on a needlessly complicated departure procedure with several "cross at" or "cross at or below" altitude restrictions)
SLC Dep: Compass, climb and maintain FL350.
Me: Climb and maintain FL350, is that an unrestricted climb?
(Silence)
Me: SLC, confirm unrestricted climb for Compass.
SLC Dep: Compass, delete speed restrictions.
Me: OK, how about altitude restrictions?
SLC Dep: Climb at maintain FL350, unrestricted.
This conversation would be excusable if it happened once. I've had a variation of it on every departure out of SLC for the last two weeks and have heard it play out with many other aircraft as well. You'd think they'd get the hint!
Theyre not the ones needing a hint
From the AIM:
g. The guiding principle is that the last ATC clearance has precedence over the previous ATC clearance. When the route or altitude in a previously issued clearance is amended, the controller will restate applicable altitude restrictions.
If altitude to maintain is changed or restated, whether prior to departure or while airborne, and previously issued altitude restrictions are omitted, those altitude restrictions are canceled, including departure procedures and STAR altitude restrictions.