HP
I am an ATC enroute and approach controller and have worked in different worldwide jurisdictions. other than london where the TA is so low it barely matters, I would still expect PIC to have local/areaQNH set till passing TA on climb or passing TL on descent, especially in north america, australia, ME(for you intl pilots who fly there).
a late stop at an altitude on climb to FL's could happen at any time for any reason, so thus your co SOP's if memory serves me correctly are correct and QNH on the scale until TA. Tis also good airmanship as well as far as I am concerned .... and I also fly too.
hope that wraps it up!
cheers