EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure; Aircraft; Human Factors
We were being vectored for an approach into Newark. Approach had us on a heading and informed us that on that heading; we had VFR traffic at our 12 o'clock and 500 FT below us. We were looking for the light twin and were unable to pick him out. We had the aircraft on the TCAS; but not a visual. I was pilot not flying and was looking for the aircraft as well as monitoring the TCAS. We were at 6;000 FT and the VFR traffic climbed to within 400 FT of us giving us an RA. At that time I alerted ATC stating that we received an RA and were commencing a climb. At 6;700 FT we were clear of conflict and started back down to 6;000. The Controller stated that he was VFR and that he never got to within less than 500 FT of us. He then went on to say that he didn't see why we had to climb all the way to 7;000 FT when we only climbed to 6;700 FT. He then said that with us climbing it put us in conflict with other traffic around us but I guess you got to do what you have to do he said. I informed him that if I don't have the traffic insight and I receive an RA; I will do what the aircraft instructs me to do. After we descended back to our altitude; we continued the flight with no other problems.
Issue traffic alert to aircraft in close proximity before RA is issued by the aircraft.
Air carrier under N90 control experienced a TCAS RA with reported VFR traffic 500 FT below. The Controller indicated the TCAS RA response cause another conflict.