Narrative:

ATC induced an increase in workload in adverse flight conditions. Potomac departure had issued a heading towards the leading edge of a band of thunderstorms associated with a hurricane. We asked for a heading away from the weather (left deviation) and were given a heading 10 degrees right instead. We remarked that was towards the weather and we needed to go the other way. We were told we would have a turn towards swann shortly and would be turned over to washington center for higher. Both the passengers and flight attendants were seated due to expected turbulence during climb. We were cleared direct swann at FL190 and told to contact washington center 125.45. When we checked in with washington; direct swann at FL190; still 10+ miles from the weather; we requested higher and left deviation for weather. We were told unable higher due military traffic and were cleared to deviate left of course. Still clear of the weather; we very suddenly encountered continuous moderate turbulence; not chop; and requested higher due to the turbulence. ATC said unable unless we wanted to be intercepted by fighters. We were heavy; fully loaded for europe; and were lumbering in the turbulence; so I instructed the first officer to advise ATC we would be turning further left away from the line of weather to the northwest. ATC replied; very sarcastically; 'understand you are taking control of our aircraft.' we always had control of our aircraft and the sarcasm was not appreciated. The controller tried to get a severe turbulence report from us; not understanding that continuous moderate turbulence in a heavy B767 warranted an exit from the existing weather conditions. We did not need the sarcasm and unprofessional conduct from this controller while we were attempting to avoid and then depart adverse weather conditions. The controller acted like this was a game. Once heading north; we were quickly out of the moderate turbulence. We were prepared to declare an emergency if that was necessary to get away from the area. Fortunately; that was not necessary. We were eventually cleared higher and the remainder of the flight was uneventful. We recognize there are many new and inexperienced controllers. This report is to highlight the need for better education of controllers on the effects of adverse weather conditions and the unnecessary increase in cockpit workload that can occur when they are acting in a less than professional manner. Also; better coordination in the turnover from potomac to center may have helped center understand we needed higher and/or left for adverse weather. A reply will be appreciated.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air Carrier departure from Washington D.C. area voiced concern regarding the ATC handling provided by ZDC during requests for weather deviations; noting the controllers actions were less than professional.

Narrative: ATC induced an increase in workload in adverse flight conditions. Potomac Departure had issued a heading towards the leading edge of a band of thunderstorms associated with a hurricane. We asked for a heading away from the weather (left deviation) and were given a heading 10 degrees right instead. We remarked that was towards the weather and we needed to go the other way. We were told we would have a turn towards SWANN shortly and would be turned over to Washington Center for higher. Both the passengers and flight attendants were seated due to expected turbulence during climb. We were cleared direct SWANN at FL190 and told to contact Washington Center 125.45. When we checked in with Washington; direct SWANN at FL190; still 10+ miles from the weather; we requested higher and left deviation for weather. We were told unable higher due military traffic and were cleared to deviate left of course. Still clear of the weather; we very suddenly encountered continuous moderate turbulence; not chop; and requested higher due to the turbulence. ATC said unable unless we wanted to be intercepted by fighters. We were heavy; fully loaded for Europe; and were lumbering in the turbulence; so I instructed the First Officer to advise ATC we would be turning further left away from the line of weather to the northwest. ATC replied; very sarcastically; 'Understand you are taking control of our aircraft.' We always had control of our aircraft and the sarcasm was not appreciated. The Controller tried to get a severe turbulence report from us; not understanding that continuous moderate turbulence in a Heavy B767 warranted an exit from the existing weather conditions. We did not need the sarcasm and unprofessional conduct from this Controller while we were attempting to avoid and then depart adverse weather conditions. The Controller acted like this was a game. Once heading north; we were quickly out of the moderate turbulence. We were prepared to declare an emergency if that was necessary to get away from the area. Fortunately; that was not necessary. We were eventually cleared higher and the remainder of the flight was uneventful. We recognize there are many new and inexperienced controllers. This report is to highlight the need for better education of controllers on the effects of adverse weather conditions and the unnecessary increase in cockpit workload that can occur when they are acting in a less than professional manner. Also; better coordination in the turnover from Potomac to Center may have helped Center understand we needed higher and/or left for adverse weather. A reply will be appreciated.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.