Vague DP

Roy Smith wrote in news:roy-02F6FE.13153621062004
@reader2.panix.com:

The DP out of LGA reads:

"DEPARTURE PROCEDU Rwy 4, climb to 600 before proceeding westbound.
Rwy 13, climb to 800 before proceeding westbound. Rwy 22, climb to 1400
before proceeding westbound. Rwy 31, climb to 1200 before proceeding
southbound."

It seems kind of vague to me. Is it implied that you're supposed to
climb on runway heading? Also, what does "westbound" mean? Any heading
between 180 and 360 clockwise? But if that's the case, runway heading
is already "westbound". It all seems a little nebulous for IFR stuff.

My take is that this is an obstacle DP. You follow whatever clearance you
are given, but climb on runway heading, or other heading given by ATC,
provided it isn't westbound or southbound. I would climb on runway heading
to the altitude given, then turn to whatever heading was assigned or would be
required by the clearance. It is a little vague in that it doesn't
specifically say runway heading, but it lets you fly pretty much any heading
as long as it isn't south or west.