Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure; Environment - Non Weather Related
Enroute from ZZZ to LAX at 7;000 feet MSL; we were given a turn to 150 and holding instructions. I missed the altitude assignment and EFC time and asked ATC to repeat them. As he repeated the instructions; we got a TCAS TRAFFIC ALERT which blocked the Controller's transmission. The TCAS warning then escalated to a Resolution Advisory with a descend command. I called the Controller advising of our responding to a TCAS descent RA. He replied to climb to 7;000 feet for terrain. We could easily see all the terrain in our area and were above all the terrain within 5 miles of our position according to the EGPWS terrain display on my MFD. Once the clear of conflict aural was received; the Captain immediately returned to 7;000 feet.
Flight crew complying with TCAS RA 'Descend' command received an instruction from ATC to climb due to terrain. Crew; observing that terrain was not a factor; delayed climb until TCAS 'Clear of Conflict' was received.