Narrative:

I was acting as first officer; not flying pilot. On departure while level at 9000 ft ATC reported traffic at our approximate 11 o'clock position. I immediately acquired the jet and pointed it out to the captain as I reported 'traffic in sight' to ATC. The captain acknowledged by nodding his head and ATC cleared us to maintain visual and climb. I did not anticipate the captain climbing until the traffic was clear but; as I was reading back the clearance; the captain initiated a fairly aggressive climb in an attempt to top the traffic. I quickly finished reading the clearance to ATC and then looked to the traffic again thinking that I may have mis-assessed the threat. I had not - we were climbing directly into the converging traffic. This all happened in a matter of a couple of seconds but immediately after confirming the conflict; the TCAS RA sounded and called for a descent. The captain continued to climb and increased the climb rate. Given the close proximity to the traffic and the hesitation in initially responding to the RA; I felt that we would not have time to stop a 6000 FPM climb; reverse it; and get into the green arc on the TCAS without creating more of a conflict. I do not believe that there was a separation issue and I would estimate the closest we came to the jet was 2 miles; but I can't be sure. As the first officer; not flying pilot; I should have immediately stopped talking to ATC and queried the captain on his decision to climb. The seconds lost finishing the radio call were crucial. In hindsight; I would have waited to call traffic in sight until the captain and I both discussed the close proximity.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A B737NG experienced an RA when climbing through conflicting traffic's altitude.

Narrative: I was acting as First Officer; not flying pilot. On departure while level at 9000 FT ATC reported traffic at our approximate 11 o'clock position. I immediately acquired the jet and pointed it out to the Captain as I reported 'traffic in sight' to ATC. The Captain acknowledged by nodding his head and ATC cleared us to maintain visual and climb. I did not anticipate the Captain climbing until the traffic was clear but; as I was reading back the clearance; the Captain initiated a fairly aggressive climb in an attempt to top the traffic. I quickly finished reading the clearance to ATC and then looked to the traffic again thinking that I may have mis-assessed the threat. I had not - we were climbing directly into the converging traffic. This all happened in a matter of a couple of seconds but immediately after confirming the conflict; the TCAS RA sounded and called for a descent. The Captain continued to climb and increased the climb rate. Given the close proximity to the traffic and the hesitation in initially responding to the RA; I felt that we would not have time to stop a 6000 FPM climb; reverse it; and get into the green arc on the TCAS without creating more of a conflict. I do not believe that there was a separation issue and I would estimate the closest we came to the jet was 2 miles; but I can't be sure. As the First Officer; not flying pilot; I should have immediately stopped talking to ATC and queried the Captain on his decision to climb. The seconds lost finishing the radio call were crucial. In hindsight; I would have waited to call traffic in sight until the Captain and I both discussed the close proximity.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.