A319
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Speed All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
Human Factors; Procedure
On the arrival into ZZZ; ATC requested that we deviate from 250 knots below 10;000 in order to resolve possible conflict with VFR traffic. I asked controller several times if he wanted altitude or speed and he responded that he needed altitude and gave us a clearance to fly above 250 knots below 10;000 feet. We had an FAA Examiner in the jump seat and upon arrival into ZZZ he inquired about the speed deviation. My First Officer (FO) and I explained to him the abnormal clearance.
Descent through 10;000 feet ATC asked for a undo-able descent rate and slow down to 250kts per 250 below 10;000 requirement. Pilot Not Flying (PNF) asked ATC which was more important for the traffic conflict the altitude or the speed. He stated greater than 250 was ok; I need the descent rate. We complied and no traffic conflict happened. Upon landing the FAA Check Airmen on the jumpseat debriefed me on my speed deviation below 10;000 feet and said he did not hear the radio call. I confirmed with the Captain and we were in concurrence on how the event happened. I am not aware of any deviation filed by the FAA but wanted the details recorded.
A319 flight crew reported ATC approved speed above 250 knots below 10;000 feet; but were question by the Check Airman onboard who did not hear the clearance.