Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 254
Other / Unknown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Weather; Procedure
We were attempting to land on 27R at PHL; but there was a wall of thunderstorms that paralleled the course and we couldn't find a safe place to turn in for the intercept to final. We were in continuous moderate at 6;000 FT and continually told the Controller we were unable to make the turns they requested. The Controller became almost argumentative and asked if we were going to go 40 miles before we turned; I responded we could not safely make a turn toward final and would not risk it. The Controller then told us to continue and that he/she would tell us when we could turn. Several miles later; we informed the Controller that we could accept a turn toward final and it was apparent to both of us that the Controller was making a point by making us continue out away from the airport. Another carrier was behind us would not accept a turn and the Controller asked them if they were going to be like the other guy and fly 40 miles away. At that altitude; we were monitoring fuel very closely and we were getting concerned that if we didn't get headed back toward the airport soon that we would only have one chance at landing before we had to divert to our alternate. I never had a Controller try to bully me into doing something I felt was unsafe before; normally they are very helpful and are very conservative with weather vectors.
Air Carrier Captain inbound to PHL voiced concern regarding ATC handling around weather.