Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 156; Flight Crew Type 11000
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Human Factors; Company Policy; Procedure
On final; we were informed that a helicopter was orbiting east of the field; but he had us 'in sight.'  We saw the helicopter and it seemed very close to the airport.  At about 1200 feet; we received one 'traffic' TCAS announcement and then one 'climb' announcement.  I commenced a go-around and before the gear was up; we received a 'Clear of Conflict.'  We came around for another approach.  This time I requested the outboard runway (26L) to give us more space from the helicopter.  Even with this approach; where we were lower than the helicopter; it still showed as an amber Traffic Alert dot until we were below 500 feet.  I think that if we had attempted to land on the same runway; we would have received another Resolution Alert.  I have had this problem before in California airspace; where Controllers allow a VFR 'see and avoid' aircraft to call us 'in sight;' but they are not equipped with TCAS and get too close and penetrate the TCAS envelope.  When I spoke with the Ground Controller; he stated that this same thing had happened yesterday.  Controller education that 'see and avoid' from light aircraft/helicopters doesn't relieve airliners from TCAS Resolution Alerts and to keep airline traffic separated from VFR aircraft even if the traffic calls the airliner 'in sight.
B737 Captain is advised of a VFR helicopter orbiting east of the field; with each pilot having the other aircraft in sight. At 1;200 feet a TCAS RA is annunciated and the B737 goes around.