EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Human Factors; Weather
On SLC 124.35 we slowed to .72 to climb to 360 for the performance charts as it was reported smoother; when we reached FL360 we began getting mountain wave. It increased to moderate chop and we fell below green dot I had my FO (First Officer) advise ATC we needed to descend. They said not now; I came on and said 'we needed to descend immediately' they gave us a heading and still wouldn't descend I advised my FO if we need to descend; we will but we were well above the stick shaker. If needed I would have declared and emergency and initiated a descent.When an aircraft says they 'need to descend immediately' that should be taken by ATC as immediate.
EMB-175 Captain reported a communication breakdown with ATC regarding an immediate request for a lower altitude.