Capn Bloggs
The problem is even more diabolical than you suggest. As the crew obviously did NOT know the phraseology, the PM's R/T WAS incorrect as he should done as you suggested and stated that they were planning to climb to FL310 until told otherwise by ATC, which clearly would have sounded odd so he omitted this. ATC on the other hand heard what they expected to from a crew familiar with the procedure. That ATC did not query the lack of a planned altitude likely confirmed in the crew's minds that what they were doing was ok. From this point on there was no way of detecting the error until the top altitude bust.
captainsmiffy
Agree with your thoughts completely and yet this whole issue (i.e. does the new phraseology leave a little bit too much unsaid between ATC and flight crews?) was not mentioned in the discussion of the report. Ironic considering the AAIB took it on 'to highlight safety lessons' the NTSB thought were not there to learn!
Last edited by xyze; 28th Nov 2015 at 10:44.