EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft
We were taking off Runway 15L at IAH. ATC told us to line up and wait. Once cleared for take[off] ATC instructed us to fly Runway heading and maintain 2;000 feet. I was the pilot flying. We took off and leveled off at 2;000 feet as instructed. ATC instructed that there would be traffic crossing [traffic] overhead at 3;000 feet and to stay level at 2;000 feet. We stayed at 2;000 feet and had the traffic insight. At this time the TCAS system sensed the traffic and gave a RA to climb. I disregarded this RA and stayed level at 2;000. We had the traffic in sight the whole time and we were complying with ATC instructions. I believe if I would have followed the RA this would have cause a major issue and possibly a midair collision.Both my FO; my jumpseater and I had the traffic in sight the whole time. Once the traffic was clear then ATC instructed us to climb unrestricted to 16;000 feet. We proceeded on our way uneventfully.I believe in this very unique situation that the TCAS was wrong. If I [had] not [had] the traffic in sight we would have immediately followed the RA; but [since] we did have the traffic and we knew he would be crossing overhead the best action was to stay level at 2;000 feet and [let] the traffic pass overhead.
EMB-175 Captain reported ignoring TCAS commands after receiving what he felt was inaccurate guidance that could have resulted in a midair collision.