Date: 202007
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZTL.ARTCC, GA
Flight conditions: Mixed
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight phase: Cruise
Airspace: Class A ZTL
ATC / advisory: Center ZTL
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; First Officer
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: General None Reported / Taken
Contributing factors: Procedure; Weather
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: Scattered storms were present over Georgia and northern Florida. We were on course between intersections TEUFL and GEEYE. Aircraft radar depicted a cell just east of intersection GEEYE; the west edge of the cell appeared as if it may have been over GEEYE. EFB radar from also indicated that cells were present near the intersection of GEEYE. We were currently IMC; and without visual confirmation that we would be clear of the cell (painting green and yellow); I asked the Captain (the Pilot Monitoring) to ask for five degrees to the right of course for weather avoidance. We were approximately 50 miles north of GEEYE at this time. We discussed waiting a few miles before making the request knowing that we should soon be in VMC and could then get a better over-all picture concerning the location of the cell in relation to our course. After a couple of miles and still IMC; the Captain asked Jacksonville Center for five degrees right of course for weather avoidance. Jacksonville confirmed that we wanted right deviations and asked if we could accept direct to JAYJA. JAYJA was left of our current course and would have placed our track through the center of the cell we were trying to avoid. The Captain responded that we could not go to JAYJA at this time and asked for a five degree right deviation. Jacksonville asked us to turn thirty degrees to the right. The Captain informed Jacksonville that thirty degrees to the right would turn us toward additional weather; and that we could not accept that clearance; we would like to turn only five degrees to the right. Jacksonville then stated that since we wanted to turn to the right we needed to turn at least thirty degrees to the right because there was traffic below us going to Tampa that was faster than us; and Tampa required twenty miles in trail. The Captain and I were confused by this reasoning as to why we were not allowed to turn for weather avoidance. Shortly after Jacksonville's confusing explanation; we were VMC and could see that our current track would allow us to avoid the cell near GEEYE. The Captain informed Jacksonville that we could see the weather now and did not need the deviation; so we could remain on our route. Jacksonville then cleared us direct JAYJA when able. The Jacksonville Controller's terminology and tone when speaking to us about our deviation request was at times non-standard and appeared to be defensive and aggravated toward us. We perceived his communications with other aircraft also to be non-standard. ATC usually realizes that the view of the weather from the flight deck is not always the same as the view of the weather from their scopes. So; when Pilots ask for deviations for weather; ATC is usually very accommodating and helpful in determining the best course. Weather avoidance is a Safety issue. Being denied acceptable deviation parameters is not in line with Safety as a number one priority. The flight environment is fluid; and we need to trust that we can work with ATC to ensure a Safe flight. Standard phraseology and professionalism is needed from both Pilots and Controllers.




Synopsis: First officer reported that ATC denied their requested deviation for weather avoidance; and cited nonstandard phraseology by the controller.