ACR PUT ON VECTOR HDG FOR CLIMB; AND THEN MADE TURN BACK TOWARD FLT PLAN ROUTE AFTER REACHING ALT. SET UP A POTENTIAL CONFLICT WITH OPPOSITE DIRECTION TRAFFIC.

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APCHING KATZN INTERSECTION SWBOUND ON J-79 WE RECEIVED CLRNC TO 'MAINTAIN PRESENT HDG FOR CLIMB. CLIMB TO FL350.' TWO TO THREE MINUTES AFTER REACHING FL350 AND BEING AT KATZN INTERSECTION. WE TURNED TO INTERCEPT J-193 HAVING COMPLIED WITH OUR CLRNC TO MAINTAIN PRESENT HDG FOR CLIMB. WHILE IN OUR TURN ATC ASKED OUR HEADING AND GAVE US A TIGHT TURN TO 270 DEG OPPOSITE DIRECTION TFC CLIMBING TO FL370. HE THEN ASKED THAT TFC TO SAY ALT. THEY REPORTED LEVEL AT 370 AND ATC CLRED US BACK ON COURSE. IN HIGH DENSITY TFC AREAS WITH CONTINUAL RADIO TRANSMISSIONS MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO QUESTION ATC INSTRUCTIONS; ALL EFFORT SHOULD BE TAKEN TO ISSUE INSTRUCTIONS WITH A MINIMUM CHANGE OF MISUNDERSTANDING. I FEEL THAT THIS TYPE OF POTENTIAL CONFLICT COULD BE AVOIDED BY A DIRECT HEADING ASSIGNMENT WHEN AN ACFT IS DUE TO TURN ON COURSE AT OR NEAR THE CLIMB POINT. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM ACN # 87009: THE CLRNC SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE SPECIFIC AND I SHOULD HAVE BEEN QUICKER IN VOICING MY DOUBTS ABOUT TURNING.