Air carrier flight crew reported receiving two advisories while leveling at 17;000 feet departing ew...

Narrative:

ATC cleared flight to climb to 17;000 feet. At approximately 16;300 ft; ATC instructed crew to expedite climb to 17;000 feet. Very shortly after leveling at 17;000 ft; we received a descend RA due to traffic at 12 O'clock and 400 ft above. Pilot flying (first officer) disconnected the autopilot and initiated a descent following TCAS RA commands. Lowest altitude achieved was about 16;400 feet. As the RA traffic passed from right to left the TCAS gave a climb command due to another aircraft (operating VFR) at our 9 O'clock and at 16;500 feet. Pilot flying initiated a climb to follow TCAS RA commands. Maximum altitude reached was approximately 17;600 feet.due to airspace congestion; I believe ATC was attempting to 'squeeze' our flight between proximate traffic. Also; based on ATC communication with VFR traffic; I believe the aircraft at our 9 O'clock position was not doing what the controller expected. Apparently that aircraft was conducting aerial photography. [Suggest] reduce workload of air traffic controller. VFR aircraft clearly communicating intentions to ATC while maneuvering in congested airspace.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier flight crew reported receiving two advisories while leveling at 17;000 feet departing EWR. The first was a descend RA for traffic above followed by a second RA to climb for other traffic.

Narrative: ATC cleared flight to climb to 17;000 feet. At approximately 16;300 ft; ATC instructed crew to expedite climb to 17;000 feet. Very shortly after leveling at 17;000 ft; we received a Descend RA due to traffic at 12 O'clock and 400 ft above. Pilot Flying (FO) disconnected the autopilot and initiated a descent following TCAS RA commands. Lowest altitude achieved was about 16;400 feet. As the RA traffic passed from right to left the TCAS gave a climb command due to another aircraft (operating VFR) at our 9 O'clock and at 16;500 feet. Pilot Flying initiated a climb to follow TCAS RA commands. Maximum altitude reached was approximately 17;600 feet.Due to airspace congestion; I believe ATC was attempting to 'squeeze' our flight between proximate traffic. Also; based on ATC communication with VFR traffic; I believe the aircraft at our 9 O'clock position was not doing what the controller expected. Apparently that aircraft was conducting aerial photography. [Suggest] reduce workload of Air Traffic Controller. VFR aircraft clearly communicating intentions to ATC while maneuvering in congested airspace.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1479776
Time
Date	201709
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	EWR.Airport
State Reference	NY
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Widebody Transport
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Climb
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Other / Unknown
Person 2
Function	Captain Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Conflict Airborne Conflict

Air carrier flight crew reported receiving two advisories while leveling at 17;000 feet departing ewr. The first was a descend RA for traffic above followed by a second RA to climb for other traffic.