Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 235; Flight Crew Total 23175; Flight Crew Type 7104
Other / Unknown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure; Human Factors; Airspace Structure
As we were being vectored across final approach at 3;000 FT over TEB to achieve spacing on the ILS to [Runway] 22L at EWR; the Controller cleared us to 2;500 FT in preparation for the turn back. Passing 2;900 FT we got an RA with the words 'CLIMB; CLIMB' and a red arc showing in the EADI. As I was reversing the direction of the aircraft; I saw a red square directly under the nose in the EADI; but I could not make out its relative altitude. It was obvious that it was taking off from TEB. As we passed 3;200 FT; the RA stopped as we saw the target jet move to our 2 o'clock position. By the time the First Officer saw the aircraft; he felt it was about 1-2 miles away; low. We informed the Controller we were responding to an RA and he nonchalantly said that the other aircraft was no problem. The First Officer remembers our Controller definitely saying that the other aircraft had been cleared to 2;500 FT. Remember we were also cleared to 2;500 FT! I couldn't remember much of this conversation because I was busy doing the flying. The Controller then turned us back toward the final approach course and cleared us for the ILS.
Air Carrier arrival to EWR being vectored over TEB experienced a TCAS RA apparently from a TEB departure aircraft; the reporter expressing concern regarding ATC's reported nonchalant comments.