Narrative:

I am not sure if ZZZ departure is short staffed with covid flight reductions; and controllers are being over worked so stress levels are higher; but I really can't believe the reaction and unprofessional attitude that was demonstrated on ATC's part. If flight numbers are starting to be increased; controller staffing needs to be increased back to normal. I can't see any other reason that would stress a controller to the point of reacting this way to a very normal situation when radios get busy and a clearance isn't given right. Taking off from ZZZ; tower handed us off to departure. After switching to departure frequency; I heard an air carrier Y flight check on with departure. ATC responded to air carrier Y's check in with a clearance for our call sign. Given the incorrect response to air carrier Y; I checked on with departure as I normally would and remained on my original pre departure clearance departure clearance until receiving further instructions. I did not receive a response. I then tried to check on two to three more times; but never received a response from ATC. At that point I requested 'radio check.' after two 'radio check' attempts I finally received a response from ATC. It was the most unprofessional reaction I have ever experienced in xx years of flying. The controller was basically yelling and said 'air carrier X; do whatever you want!' I responded by saying we were 'looking for a clearance.' at this point we were level at 5;000 feet flying the zzzzz Y departure. Without a fairly prompt continued climb clearance; it would be very hard to meet further climb restrictions on the departure of zzzzz at or above 15;000. After two attempts asking for a clearance; ATC responded by saying 'roger.' after several minutes; the controller issued us a climb clearance and the flight continued as normal.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier Captain reported communication issues with Departure Control and made reference to Controller possibly being overworked or stressed out due to COVID-19 staffing levels.

Narrative: I am not sure if ZZZ Departure is short staffed with COVID flight reductions; and controllers are being over worked so stress levels are higher; but I really can't believe the reaction and unprofessional attitude that was demonstrated on ATC's part. If flight numbers are starting to be increased; Controller staffing needs to be increased back to normal. I can't see any other reason that would stress a Controller to the point of reacting this way to a very normal situation when radios get busy and a clearance isn't given right. Taking off from ZZZ; Tower handed us off to Departure. After switching to Departure frequency; I heard an Air Carrier Y flight check on with Departure. ATC responded to Air Carrier Y's check in with a clearance for our call sign. Given the incorrect response to Air Carrier Y; I checked on with Departure as I normally would and remained on my original PDC departure clearance until receiving further instructions. I did not receive a response. I then tried to check on two to three more times; but never received a response from ATC. At that point I requested 'radio check.' After two 'radio check' attempts I finally received a response from ATC. It was the most unprofessional reaction I have ever experienced in XX years of flying. The Controller was basically yelling and said 'Air Carrier X; DO WHATEVER YOU WANT!' I responded by saying we were 'looking for a clearance.' At this point we were level at 5;000 feet flying the ZZZZZ Y Departure. Without a fairly prompt continued climb clearance; it would be very hard to meet further climb restrictions on the departure of ZZZZZ at or above 15;000. After two attempts asking for a clearance; ATC responded by saying 'Roger.' After several minutes; the Controller issued us a climb clearance and the flight continued as normal.

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.