Medium Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Conflict Airborne Conflict
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
Climbing out of SEA; we were issued a clearance to 6000 feet. When I checked in with Seattle Departure; the controller advised us of traffic (A Cessna) at 6500 at our 12 o'clock and a few miles (I can't remember the exact number) and I responded that I was looking for traffic. Around that time we were climbing through 3000 feet at around 4000 FPM. A few moments later we got a TA and I noticed that the altitude was already capturing so I reached over and pulled the thrust levers back to arrest the rate of climb. The First Officer (FO); who was the pilot flying; was prepared to execute an RA and had his hands on the yoke. At around 5500 feet we got an RA and the FO used the TCAS button to fly the aircraft into the green box; I turned on all the lights; and then advised ATC that we had an RA and were leveling momentarily at 5800. The RA cleared and we continued and leveled at 6000. The FO and I talked about the event pretty extensively in a constructive manner. We were very light and climbing faster than 'normal.' The FO was new; and commented that he'd never had an RA outside of the sim. When ATC made the traffic call; I immediately recognized the possibility of a traffic conflict; but I did not take control of the aircraft (just the thrust levers) until I realized that the FO wasn't going to do so. In talking with the FO; it was clear that he was very much primed to REACT to an RA; but not so much prepared to PREVENT an RA. I believe this is a symptom of the way we train TCAS maneuvers in the simulator. Throughout the event; positive control was maintained at all times and the aircraft was never in danger. The FO did a marvelous job responding after the RA was issued. In the end; it was a very good learning experience.
Climbing out of SEA; the crew responded to a TA that became an RA by reducing their rate of climb.