Air carrier captain reported an airborne conflict with another aircraft while descending on arrival ...

Attributes
ACN	1765378
Time
Date	202010
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	AUS.Airport
State Reference	TX
Environment
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Commercial Fixed Wing
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Descent
Route In Use	STAR WLEEE FIVE
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Flight Phase	Climb
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 120
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Conflict Airborne Conflict

Narrative:

While descending out of 6;000 ft for 4;000 ft; we noticed an aircraft that appeared close to our altitude but slightly lower and appeared to be climbing. I made sure all of our outside lights were illuminated including turning on our landing lights. We then received a TCAS TA alert of proximity and almost at the same time as this received a traffic alert 'climb 6;000 ft and turn 15 degrees right' command from ATC (approach control). I then saw the other aircraft turn on his landing light in response to seeing me turn on mine; which told me that he probably saw us too. Shortly thereafter we received a level off command;(RA alert) at which time we did level off. I saw the aircraft passing behind us and returned to the STAR immediately after knowing we would be clear of the conflict. STAR arrival this low and close to such a busy airport should be better protected. Maybe expand the airspace around austin airport as it is very busy. I also feel that our air traffic controllers are way over worked and facilities undermanned. ATC does a fantastic job considering but we are expecting too much from these controllers and it will put aircraft and lives at greater risk.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier Captain reported an airborne conflict with another aircraft while descending on arrival into AUS and suggested that the STAR airspace should be better protected.

Narrative: While descending out of 6;000 ft for 4;000 ft; we noticed an aircraft that appeared close to our altitude but slightly lower and appeared to be climbing. I made sure all of our outside lights were illuminated including turning on our landing lights. We then received a TCAS TA alert of proximity and almost at the same time as this received a Traffic Alert 'Climb 6;000 ft and turn 15 degrees right' command from ATC (Approach Control). I then saw the other aircraft turn on his landing light in response to seeing me turn on mine; which told me that he probably saw us too. Shortly thereafter we received a level off command;(RA alert) at which time we did level off. I saw the aircraft passing behind us and returned to the STAR immediately after knowing we would be clear of the conflict. STAR arrival this low and close to such a busy airport should be better protected. Maybe expand the airspace around Austin Airport as it is very busy. I also feel that our air traffic controllers are way over worked and facilities undermanned. ATC does a fantastic job considering but we are expecting too much from these controllers and it will put aircraft and lives at greater risk.

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.

Air carrier captain reported an airborne conflict with another aircraft while descending on arrival into aus and suggested that the STAR airspace should be better protected.