Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Workload; Distraction; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Procedure
ATC had us on the KEPEC3 RNAV arrival. We were cleared to 8;000 ft just passing NIPZO. We acquired traffic circling to our south. We received no notice from ATC as to the traffic. The traffic turned toward us and we received an RA. I was the pilot flying and immediately turned off the auto pilot and responded to the RA commands. My FO acted appropriately and turned on the lights and queried ATC as to the traffic and that we were responding to the RA. They replied 'Yea there is traffic circling off your 9 O'clock. The traffic was within 500 ft and directly under our position. They told us to slow to 170 and descend to 6;000 ft. As well as turn left to 330. We stated again that we were complying to an RA. Once clear of traffic we began our decent to 6;000. Our speed was reducing to 170. ATC asked our speed. We stated a speed greater than 170. They told us to slow then continue descent. We complied. We were then given vectors to RNAV 19R and a turn to intercept the final approach course. We stated that we were high and don't know if we could make it at this point. They told us a turn to the left was approved but not the right because of helicopter traffic. We made an attempt to the runway but they had left us too high and turned us in too early. I initiated a Go-around at 1500 AGL. They asked what the reason for the go-around was. We did not respond; requested vectors and an altitude. We received both back to 19R and landed without further incident. I was completely appalled as to the control received from ATC. We received no communication as to the Traffic and Poor vectors and altitude instructions.
Pilot reports of not being advised of traffic that ATC knew about and that the pilot received an RA on. Controller kept aircraft too high and eventually the pilot had to make a go around.