Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Workload; Time Pressure; Situational Awareness; Confusion; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Chart Or Publication; Company Policy; Airport; Procedure
After takeoff from CLT; I waited an unusually long time for tower controller to switch over to departure control. Tower was busy speaking with other aircraft making it impossible to query whether I should contact departure control. I became concerned about safety of my flight and contacted departure control myself without direction from tower. All was well for several minutes and then departure control informed me that it is CLT procedure to keep departing aircraft on tower frequency longer than normal and I should plan accordingly. I apologized; but could not find any guidance for this procedure. Not flying into CLT often; I was unaware of this procedure and tower speaking with other aircraft at length did not allow me the opportunity to query. Should be a note listed in ops procedures about CLT departure procedures.
Air carrier Captain reported CLT Tower took an unusually long time to switch them to Departure; so he switched himself. Departure informed him it is standard for CLT Tower to keep aircraft on frequency longer than usual.