A320
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory
Procedure
En route at FL350; we requested a climb to FL370. The Controller never responded for about 30 seconds; and then assigned us FL370 and to be there in 2 minutes. This didn't give us time any time to decide. We started climbing. I saw an aircraft on TCAS 1;000 FT higher than us; but I couldn't determine if it would conflict with our path and climb. After climbing 1;600 FT in about 1 minute 50 seconds we got a TA on the traffic; a B747 at FL360. He queried the ATC Controller about us. I then reported that we had the traffic in sight. We continued climbing to FL370 and after the 2 minutes had expired; we were 200-300 FT low with no extra energy to increase the climb rate. The ATC Controller never made any comments; but I felt a less than friendly attitude from him. I know that normally; it takes 3 minutes at high altitudes; to climb 2;000 FT typically; when requesting an en route climb; the ATC Controller will ask us how long it will take; if there is conflicting traffic. This Controller didn't ask. If he had; we would have told him that we needed 3 minutes. However; he never gave us any time to discuss this. We should have denied the climb; but we thought that we could make it in time; if we traded speed for altitude. The Controller never should have put us or the other aircraft; in this position. Jet aircraft at high altitude; reach a point that speed decreases to the point that climb is not possible; until energy increases again. I don't think that the Controller; forcing the issue in this case; knows this. I did; and should have refused the climb until clear of any conflict.Always have at least 3 minutes to climb 2;000 FT at cruise altitudes. Don't let an ATC Controller force you into a 'coffin corner' box.
A320 flight crew receceived a TCAS TA while attempting to comply with ATC instruction to climb from FL350 to FL370 in two minutes.