About actual level:
We are supposed to verify the mode C readout on every initial call. With an a/c in level flight it's easy. But somebody climbing/descending creates a problem with that: As the radar is quite 'behind the traffic' (in LSAG we still have an update rate of 5/min) the mode C can't be verified with somebody having a hight ROD/ROC. In this case I personally don't care if he tells the actual level and assume the mode C is correct....and will notice any wrong indications once he levels off.
Hence I only want to hear the cleared level and don't care about actual level. Quite a few pilots have problems telling me the cleared level. Usually, if they don't tell me I'll just say 'go ahead' until they tell me.......already had pilots who'd rather give me the phone numbers of their flight attendants than telling me the cleared level
