Narrative:

I copied; read back and understood the ATC clearance as; 'cleared to destination via the FLL4.departure; thndr; lbv; lal; szw; as filed...' the FLL4 SID did not display any 'transition' options in the FMS. I saw that it was a radar vector SID and it stated to fly runway heading off runway 08; then radar vectors. I loaded the FMS with the FLL4 SID and manually typed 'thndr' as the first waypoint; expecting radar vectors to thndr. On the upwind leg; we were given an ATC vector heading northbound; and then north westbound; then something indiscernible; followed by 'fly heading 270 to join the thndr transition'. We flew 270 heading and quickly joined a course line to thndr. Shortly afterward ATC advised we should intercept the 335 radial from dolphin VOR to thndr. We had intercepted a course line from the fll airport to thndr. Not a course line from dolphin VOR to thndr. ATC then gave us a 'cleared direct to thndr' and a frequency change. As a 'radar vector' SID; the FLL4 SID is unquestionably 'un-conventional' in its format. Typical radar vector sids display a multitude of free standing waypoints; one of which you can expect to be vectored towards; and then cleared direct. The FLL4 radar vector SID displays several waypoints but; connected by short course lines to other fixes. I was expecting radar vectors to thndr. Apparently ATC was expecting something different. I thought terps was to standardize chart format; to enhance commonality in chart presentation and; therefore; enhance safety. What a great concept! I have never seen a radar vector SID displayed like the FLL4 SID.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A C-560XL Captain and crew departing FXE were confused by their clearance via the FLL SID and what they believed to be an unusual SID format which utilized only enroute transitions following departure headings and radar vectors.

Narrative: I copied; read back and understood the ATC clearance as; 'cleared to destination via the FLL4.departure; THNDR; LBV; LAL; SZW; as filed...' The FLL4 SID did not display any 'transition' options in the FMS. I saw that it was a radar vector SID and it stated to fly runway heading off Runway 08; then radar vectors. I loaded the FMS with the FLL4 SID and manually typed 'THNDR' as the first waypoint; expecting radar vectors to THNDR. On the upwind leg; we were given an ATC vector heading northbound; and then north westbound; then something indiscernible; followed by 'fly heading 270 to join the THNDR transition'. We flew 270 heading and quickly joined a course line to THNDR. Shortly afterward ATC advised we should intercept the 335 radial from Dolphin VOR to THNDR. We had intercepted a course line from the FLL airport to THNDR. Not a course line from Dolphin VOR to THNDR. ATC then gave us a 'cleared direct to THNDR' and a frequency change. As a 'Radar Vector' SID; the FLL4 SID is unquestionably 'UN-conventional' in its format. Typical Radar Vector SIDs display a multitude of free standing waypoints; one of which you can expect to be vectored towards; and then cleared direct. The FLL4 Radar vector SID displays several waypoints but; connected by short course lines to other fixes. I was expecting radar vectors to THNDR. Apparently ATC was expecting something different. I thought TERPS was to standardize chart format; to enhance commonality in chart presentation and; therefore; enhance safety. What a great concept! I have never seen a Radar vector SID displayed like the FLL4 SID.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.