B737-800
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 379; Flight Crew Type 10000
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors; Weather
Los Angeles Center gave us an early descent which would have placed us into a convective cell. I asked for left deviation but was told no due to military airspace. I asked for a right deviation multiple times with no response. I [requested priority handling] and using Captain's Authority; we turned the aircraft to the right just in time to avoid the cell. ATC finally responded by asking why [requested priority handling]. I told them to avoid injury from the cell and they told me I was a possible pilot deviation and gave me a phone number. I am becoming frustrated with the adversarial relationship pilots have with ATC.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
B737-800 flight crew reported advising ATC a need for a turn for weather; ATC did not allow. Captain claimed Captain's Authority and turned the aircraft to avoid weather.