Baron 55/Cochise
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Air Traffic Control Radar 40; Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 4500; Flight Crew Type 500
Other / Unknown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
NORCAL put me on a 020 vector (toward higher terrain) and cleared me 'at or below 3;100 FT.' I saw no reason to climb as landing was a few minutes away. I slowed down to play for time as I awaited the command to turn left. Hearing none; I turned so as to avoid terrain. Subsequently; the Controller chewed me out for doing so. I expressed my disappointment of being headed into the mountains. What if it were real IMC? Controllers need to pay better attention to the aircraft they handle. Pilots should not have to disobey vectors to save their lives.
BE55 pilot at 2;500 FT reports turning without clearance from NCT to avoid terrain north northeast of OAK due to the perception that terrain was a factor. Reporter was receiving vectors from NCT in day VMC.