The SID ALTITUDE WAS ABOVE THE 15,000 she asked us (on clarification) to climb to 23,000 the SID top altitude...despite being given an " except maintain 15,000'
Wesail my first sentence
"Standard LAX Orcka 3 clearance climb via Sid except maintain 5,000’ ...understand that the 3000’ or below SID limit just after departure has to be selected initially as it is BELOW the 5,000’ (subsequent limit),"
shows that I understand the climb via when the SID restriction was below the "except maintain"
No mistake made by a controller or pilot shall result in altering the meaning of a rule or regulation in the FAR/AIM. Whatever has happened to you during a flight such as the one narrated, you are better off reading the regulations and complying with the meaning best conveyed in the rule. Unless someone can give a clear example with an existing SID, we may end up mis-learning the rule. Keep it simple!