Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 155; Flight Crew Total 23000; Flight Crew Type 1250
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Procedure
Approaching BIL level at 7;000 FT in VMC. We were about 5 south of airport awaiting clearance from ATC for an approach. I noticed traffic at one o'clock departing the pattern at BIL climbing towards us on TCAS. As we proceeded the traffic continued towards us but ATC said nothing. We eventually got a TCAS climb and climbed approximately 4;500 per TCAS direction. The other traffic continued to climb into us on the TCAS. As I told ATC of the TCAS climb the Controller pointed us out as traffic to the aircraft causing our TCAS climb. I inquired if the other traffic was VFR or IFR and was told it was VFR. The Controller was controlling us and in radio contact with the other aircraft; but never attempted to prevent the TCAS event. As I watched the map display the other aircraft came within 400 FT of us on the TCAS. It's disconcerting that ATC did nothing to prevent this avoidable TCAS event.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
A320 Captain reports a TCAS RA approaching BIL at 7;000 FT with a VFR departure; both talking to ATC. ATC makes no attempt to prevent the conflict and the A320 climbs 4;500 FT at TCAS direction.