EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors
We were cleared to descend from FL180 to FL050. We ran the descent checklist and approach checklist as necessary. During descent ATC advised of a VFR target approaching our descent path at our roughly ten to eleven o' clock position. We scanned visually for traffic as well as verified the target on TCAS. ATC then advised us to descend to a higher altitude of FL070 to avoid the traffic. We amended altitude; visually scanned as the target got closer in vertical and horizontal path. As we began to approach the TCAS advised with a 'traffic; traffic' alert. Our altitude to the best of my memory was roughly between 10;000 feet and 9;000 feet. We scanned for traffic appearing to be around the 12 o' clock position of the aircraft. ATC issued a vector turning northeast bound which we complied with; however the TCAS RA went off immediately with a 'climb; climb' resolution. I disconnected the autopilot; put the thrust levers into the maximum position and adjusted the aircraft pitch to the vertical speed resolution. I believe we were about 9;000-8;700 feet before completing the RA TCAS. The separation showed about 300 feet. We climbed until clear of conflict to 9;500 feet and continued the ATC vector. After the 'clear of conflict' we leveled the aircraft; advised ATC of the TCAS RA and returned back to new given ATC clearance. We continued the flight to land safely at ZZZ. This was a huge learning experience to maintain separation and situational awareness of other aircraft and ATC instructions.
Air Carrier First Officer reports multiple TCAS RAs during descent to airport.