B737-700
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 231; Flight Crew Type 13800
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Airspace Structure; Procedure
Established on the PINNG1 Arrival into PHX; approaching the BRDEY intersection; descending through approximately 16;000 feet; ABQ Center alerted us to VFR traffic at our 11 o'clock position; at approximately 14;500 feet. Initially; we were unable to acquire the traffic visually; and we monitored TCAS; expecting that; because of the proximity and geometry; the traffic would trigger a TCAS TA or RA.Although a TCAS TA/RA wasn't triggered; we visually acquired the traffic and monitored as the aircraft transitioned across our flight path from left to right while we continued our descent through 14;500 feet. ABQ Center informed the other aircraft they had a 737 (us) at their 7 o'clock position. We didn't hear a response from the other aircraft; we discovered later that the other aircraft was not on our frequency.We watched as parachute jumpers exited the aircraft in very close proximity to our aircraft; and the arrival corridor. Although I hesitate to estimate the distance; the jumpers were close enough to our aircraft that we could easily see the jumper's limbs.Because the jumpers were in such close proximity; I immediately asked the Controller if it was standard procedure to allow parachute jumping so close to an arrival corridor. The Controller responded in a very matter of fact manner that it was not unusual. From reviewing the ATC recording; the closest point of approach from our aircraft to the other aircraft at the 'jumpers away' call (last jumper exited the aircraft) was 1.2 miles; with the jumper aircraft 2;000 feet above our aircraft. When jumpers first started exiting the aircraft; we were closer than 1.2 miles.Both my First Officer and I strongly agree that conducting parachute jumping operations in such close proximity to other aircraft - and an arrival corridor is extremely hazardous. Discussion with the ABQ Center after the flight revealed that PHX area jumping operators have been 'a problem' and it's not the first time there has been a conflict with jumpers and other aircraft.
B737-700 Captain reported he was uncomfortable with the distance to a skydiver aircraft and jumpers on the PINNG1 arrival into PHX.