Narrative:

First clearance we received via cpdlc included a 'climb via SID' clearance. We were assigned the dotss 2 RNAV SID. As is typical at lax; there was a short notice runway change which we dealt with fairly easily because we expected it. We were on the correct SID and accounted for all other aspects of the runway change efficiently. On initial climb; nearing 3;000 feet we were issued the following: 'turn left heading 210 for traffic; climb and maintain 12;000.' the first officer (first officer) read back 16;000 and was immediately corrected. We set the proper altitude. We were then immediately handed off to the next controller. When we checked in we were cleared 'turn left direct pevee; climb via SID.' we climbed to 12;000 and leveled off. At that time something felt wrong to me so I asked the first officer to check with approach for higher. At that time the controller responded with 'you were given a climb via clearance. Confirm you acknowledged the climb via clearance.' we confirmed that we had; knew that we made a mistake and climbed onward to the top altitude of 17;000 feet.busy airspace; reconfiguration of aircraft; unfamiliar clearance; continuous confusion due to extremely chaotic and dynamic ATC environment; unclear radio transmission from atcclimb via clearances should be removed from ATC procedures. They are seldom enough used that they present a significant threat to safety in and of themselves. Descend via clearances are very often used; but this is the first climb via that I have had in three and a half years. They serve the purposes of air traffic control but can be confusing to pilots; especially during busy phases of flight and after having been cancelled and reinstated. At a minimum; the controller should have to say 'climb via SID; top altitude 17;000' to help better identify the clearance as a revised climb clearance and to help it 'stick out' in a pilot's mind during a busy phase of flight.change our procedures to identify a climb via clearance differently than a normal clearance. So; instead of setting 17;000 in the MCP and the pm saying '17;000' the pm (pilot monitoring) should confirm the altitude in the MCP and say 'climb via top altitude 17;000.'

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B757-200 flight crew reported confusion relating to a Climb Via clearance.

Narrative: First clearance we received via CPDLC included a 'Climb Via SID' clearance. We were assigned the DOTSS 2 RNAV SID. As is typical at LAX; there was a short notice runway change which we dealt with fairly easily because we expected it. We were on the correct SID and accounted for all other aspects of the runway change efficiently. On initial climb; nearing 3;000 feet we were issued the following: 'Turn left heading 210 for traffic; climb and maintain 12;000.' The FO (First Officer) read back 16;000 and was immediately corrected. We set the proper altitude. We were then immediately handed off to the next controller. When we checked in we were cleared 'Turn left direct PEVEE; climb via SID.' We climbed to 12;000 and leveled off. At that time something felt wrong to me so I asked the FO to check with approach for higher. At that time the controller responded with 'You were given a climb via clearance. Confirm you acknowledged the climb via clearance.' We confirmed that we had; knew that we made a mistake and climbed onward to the top altitude of 17;000 feet.Busy airspace; reconfiguration of aircraft; unfamiliar clearance; continuous confusion due to extremely chaotic and dynamic ATC environment; unclear radio transmission from ATCClimb Via clearances should be removed from ATC procedures. They are seldom enough used that they present a significant threat to safety in and of themselves. Descend via clearances are very often used; but this is the first climb via that I have had in three and a half years. They serve the purposes of Air Traffic Control but can be confusing to pilots; especially during busy phases of flight and after having been cancelled and reinstated. At a minimum; the Controller should have to say 'Climb via SID; top altitude 17;000' to help better identify the clearance as a revised climb clearance and to help it 'stick out' in a pilot's mind during a busy phase of flight.Change our procedures to identify a climb via clearance differently than a normal clearance. So; instead of setting 17;000 in the MCP and the PM saying '17;000' the PM (Pilot Monitoring) should confirm the altitude in the MCP and say 'Climb Via top altitude 17;000.'

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.