Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 240; Flight Crew Total 15000; Flight Crew Type 6000
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Weather; Procedure; Human Factors
100 miles north of ADNAP we saw storms on the radar. We asked RJJJ; using CPDLC; for 20 miles deviation to left of course; told to 'standby.' We couldn't safely wait any longer we deviated using heading select (20 miles left of course). About 1 minute into deviation we were cleared by RJJJ to deviate as requested. After passing the initial row of cells it was no longer prudent to be left of track. We turned back to the right to avoid the storms; but needed to now be 5 miles RIGHT of track to be safe. We asked RJJJ for 5 miles right offset. They said 'standby.' We couldn't wait! We turned 5 right offset so we wouldn't hit the storms just as RJJJ said unable 5 right due to traffic. We were 5 miles right of course for about 5 minutes; then got back on the airway as all the storms were now behind us. The problems were difficulty seeing the storms on radar until we were close. Also the time delay in getting permission from RJJJ to deviate and there was no 'reject' button on RJJJ's message to not deviate to the right. We could only accept their message or standby. Neither was an option!
Air Carrier First Officer reports requesting deviation for thunderstorms via CPDLC from RJJJ and begins the deviation just prior to receiving clearance to do so. After initially deviating left it becomes necessary to deviate right and another request is made. Again the deviation is commenced prior to receiving clearance and this time the request is denied.