Radar SID turn Altitude vs Diverse Departure tower instructions

[z987k]

Sure I mean obviously CFIT is not nuanced.

The PIC is responsible to make sure lots of things are occuring as they are suppose to, but unless you're are omniscient, the fact of the matter is we rely upon a plethora of asistance, ATC included.

The PIC is responsible to prevent a midair collision...In IMC. Using TCAS RA. It should never get to that point. If someone doesn't do their job it might.

Sounds like ODPs and vector SID altitudes are "safer" than tower vectors because of TERPS vs eyeballing. Ever heard of TLAR?
Will you deny a radar vector from a field thats IFR with surrounding hills cause you'd rather play it safe and comply with the lost coms altitude, effectively what the Chattanooga 6 departure provides? Or will you assuming they've analyzed the vector and it meets your airplane/operating requirements.

I have declined descents before. "Uh, no there's a mountain over there and that's below it." ATC isn't perfect. Really far from it if you start flying overseas. If you are relying on ATC for your terrain clearance you don't have the situational awareness you need to be flying as PIC or SIC under any flight rules. Every single vector and altitude you should already know when they give or take a half second to confirm on a chart it's actually safe.
Classic example is Alaska Central Express into DLG few years ago. ATC altitude right into the mountain.