Narrative:

Departure on this flight occurs well before the control tower opens. While preflighting; the aircraft received and printed a pre departure clearance with a clearance that deviated slightly from our filed plan. We inputted and cross-verified the clearance and the squawk code. This was the first time for both of us operating out of sjc as an uncontrolled field and we carefully reviewed and briefed the 10-9 and 10-7 for any pertinent information. I remember commenting that it was odd getting a pre departure clearance with the tower closed and the captain agreed that it was unusual. We made all necessary calls on CTAF as we pushed; taxied; and took off. When I called norcal for the first time airborne; the controller sounded confused; asked for an ident and told us to remain VFR; then told us to standby for our route clearance. I responded that we would stay VFR and that we had received clearance via pre departure clearance. He said they didn't have that capability; then read us pretty much the same clearance and same code. He instructed us in the future that we needed norcal permission to depart IFR. At no time were we in IMC condition or near any other traffic. Challenging morning! This is a xa:xx scheduled departure that followed a minimum rest overnight. Preflight prep was a bit of a struggle. Neither of us could get flight view to work for some time until we utilized the hotspot; then could not get weather as the ASOS frequency only broadcast notams; until we figured out to call the number for the ASOS on the 10-7. We were both very familiar with sjc but neither had operated with ATC closed. We focused pretty hard on all the unusual stuff making sure we didn't miss obstacle procedure; noise abatement or a required runway but utterly missed the fact that the pre departure clearance did not apparently constitute an IFR clearance to depart. The pre departure clearance was 'normal' and did not contain a wheels up or any unusual instructions. Had we not received the pre departure clearance; we would naturally have contacted norcal just like at the dozens of uncontrolled fields we go to; but for some reason having the pre departure clearance; along with everything else did not trigger that instinct that early in the morning. This should be a schedule red alert reminding pilots about operating outside ATC hours at this airport. I'm not sure where the pre departure clearance came from; but I can see this confusing a lot of people. Why one was generated at all is my biggest question.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier flight crew reported receiving a PDC from SJC Control Tower that was not open and departing; without calling the overlying TRACON.

Narrative: Departure on this flight occurs well before the Control Tower opens. While preflighting; the aircraft received and printed a PDC with a clearance that deviated slightly from our filed plan. We inputted and cross-verified the clearance and the squawk code. This was the first time for both of us operating out of SJC as an uncontrolled field and we carefully reviewed and briefed the 10-9 and 10-7 for any pertinent information. I remember commenting that it was odd getting a PDC with the Tower closed and the Captain agreed that it was unusual. We made all necessary calls on CTAF as we pushed; taxied; and took off. When I called NorCal for the first time airborne; the Controller sounded confused; asked for an ident and told us to remain VFR; then told us to standby for our route clearance. I responded that we would stay VFR and that we had received clearance via PDC. He said they didn't have that capability; then read us pretty much the same clearance and same code. He instructed us in the future that we needed NorCal permission to depart IFR. At no time were we in IMC condition or near any other traffic. Challenging morning! This is a XA:XX scheduled departure that followed a minimum rest overnight. Preflight prep was a bit of a struggle. Neither of us could get flight view to work for some time until we utilized the hotspot; then could not get weather as the ASOS frequency only broadcast NOTAMs; until we figured out to call the number for the ASOS on the 10-7. We were both very familiar with SJC but neither had operated with ATC closed. We focused pretty hard on all the unusual stuff making sure we didn't miss obstacle procedure; noise abatement or a required runway but utterly missed the fact that the PDC did not apparently constitute an IFR clearance to depart. The PDC was 'normal' and did not contain a wheels up or any unusual instructions. Had we not received the PDC; we would naturally have contacted NorCal just like at the dozens of uncontrolled fields we go to; but for some reason having the PDC; along with everything else did not trigger that instinct that early in the morning. This should be a schedule red alert reminding pilots about operating outside ATC hours at this airport. I'm not sure where the PDC came from; but I can see this confusing a lot of people. Why one was generated at all is my biggest question.

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.