As I say there is a difference between doing "things right" and doing the "right thing".
But as a pilot perhaps I could make a comment here - the a/c in question should have passed the cleared level on transfer but did not do so. I suppose even the best of us might be guilty of an occasional lapse but there are times when I am quite disappointed by some of the RT I hear from fellow pilots. It is our job as professionals to know and follow the correct procedures. From a pure airmanship point of view I regard the confirmation of the cleared level on transfer a good insurance policy!