Narrative:

After takeoff from den runway 34R; we were given a right turn to 095 with a climb to 13;000 ft and handed off to departure control. The heading pointed us directly toward a cumulus build-up approximately 10 to 15 NM ahead with dense virga coming out of the bottom that nearly reached the ground. We began to experience moderate chop and I immediately requested a 15 degree right turn to avoid the weather. Departure told me unable right turn; so I requested a 20 degree left turn and again departure told me unable because we were not in his airspace. I then informed him that we were going to make a turn left or right; his choice; but that we had to turn for the weather. We showed nothing on the TCAS on either side. The controller got very huffy and demanded a PIREP and then gave us the right turn we originally asked for. This unnecessarily long conversation with departure drove us [very] close to the weather. The deviation required us to track approximately 5 to 10 NM right of course and 15 to 20 NM down range before we could return to the original flightplan. I requested the initial deviation for a reason and I was clear about that reason. It is completely unsatisfactory and distracting for the controller to second guess or be indignant about my stated requirement to maneuver in order to ensure the safety of my passengers; crew; and ship.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier departure from DEN expressed concern regarding ATC handling during requested deviations because of weather; characterizing the Controller's performance as 'completely unsatisfactory.'

Narrative: After takeoff from DEN Runway 34R; we were given a right turn to 095 with a climb to 13;000 FT and handed off to Departure Control. The heading pointed us directly toward a cumulus build-up approximately 10 to 15 NM ahead with dense virga coming out of the bottom that nearly reached the ground. We began to experience moderate chop and I immediately requested a 15 degree right turn to avoid the weather. Departure told me unable right turn; so I requested a 20 degree left turn and again Departure told me unable because we were not in his airspace. I then informed him that we were going to make a turn left or right; his choice; but that we had to turn for the weather. We showed nothing on the TCAS on either side. The Controller got very huffy and demanded a PIREP and then gave us the right turn we originally asked for. This unnecessarily long conversation with Departure drove us [very] close to the weather. The deviation required us to track approximately 5 to 10 NM right of course and 15 to 20 NM down range before we could return to the original flightplan. I requested the initial deviation for a reason and I was clear about that reason. It is completely unsatisfactory and distracting for the Controller to second guess or be indignant about my stated requirement to maneuver in order to ensure the safety of my passengers; crew; and ship.

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.