Air carrier flight crew reported not following the departure procedure resulting in the flight climbing towards terrain below the MEA in VMC conditions.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported not following the departure procedure resulting in the flight climbing towards terrain below the MEA in VMC conditions.
Narrative
While departing ZZZZ airport; flight crew received the ZZZZZ departure from runway XX. Climb continued arriving back to the ZZZ VOR around 10000 feet. Around the time the crew should have entered a hold to continue climb; tower frequency changed to ZZZZ center. I; PIC; continued on route while PM frequency changed to center and checked in climbing to FL200. The flight remained VMC throughout the climb and had visual clearance from terrain as well as having terrain presented on both pilots' maps. Once turned onto an airway; flight remained above OROCA until being above FL200. A few minutes after turning onto the airway; I realized I should have continued climb in holding over the ZZZ VOR to FL200 which is the MEA for the airway. I also realize once I received the clearance on the ground; I should have requested a change to the ZZZZZ departure to allow more distance and time to climb to or above the MEA for the airway. Again; all portions of the climb to above the MEA was conducted in VMC; but realize I failed to preform the departure procedure correctly to continue climb in holding over the VOR. Cause: Frequency change right as crew was arriving at location I should have entered hold to continue climb to MEA for assigned airway in ZZZZ. I should have entered hold and continued climb in hold while the pilot monitoring contacted ZZZZ center. I thought I would need clearance to continue climb in hold but realized after the fact that I did not. Suggestion: I should have been more clear in my take off brief of the desired correct climb so both pilots were aware of what the procedure should be for a successful climb to the correct altitudes for all phases of the climb.
Second reporter narrative
Departed off runway XX. We were given ZZZZZ departure which has a turn back to the ZZZ VOR for and then on the flight route. We briefed that we would request the hold and climb to the MEA/MCA. As we approached the hold we asked ATC to clear us into the hold. ATC responded with roger but never cleared us into the hold. We continued to ask and ATC but the handed us off to another controller. We made the decision to continue on the route instead of holding for the climb. We had terrain clearance and was in VMC. This cause us to be below the MEA.Cause: ATC not fully understanding what we are requesting. Pilots making a quick decision to continue on route being below MEA.Suggestion: More guidance when departing ZZZZ airports. Company pages that have strict guidelines on the intended airport.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.