1. Why no observation of TA on departure? Part of brief surely?
2. QNH should have been set on standby until passing the latter of TA or MSA.
3. Looks like SA was very thin on the ground.
4. Believing of clearance to be a FL below TA?
5. Sloppy altimeter setting procedures coupled with poor SOP's.
6. No error trap.
7. Luckily no one died in the process.
To many pilots call passing FL..... climbing FL..... on hand over when still below transition. The correct read back should be passing altitude until you are above the transition using your standby altimeter for reference, a lack of understanding? As for the issue and read back of flight levels, using the terminology "FL Two Zero Zero", "FL Three Zero Zero" etc. is not without confusion. The simple use FL200/ FL300 surely safeguards against this? Why do some pilots feel the need for a Europe wide TA? Surely any transition altitude should form part of your pre departure brief serving to increase awareness of your SSA on departure.
Incorrect altimetry procedures and the potential threats of, require robust SOP's and subsequent adherence to them to mitigate the risk. Its seems that this was not observed on the day. Or maybe there was a genuine lack of understanding by the PIC?