A Few seconds hesitation by any of the crew could be fatal in such a case.
Which is the reason it's all crap. If Uberlingen demonstrated anything, it's that nobody has to time to sort it out much less come up with a new plan and communicate it.
Pilots are instructed to always follow TCAS because there is no other choice. There's not enough time to sort it all out. You have to folllow TCAS -- even if it is offering the wrong solution.
I'm looking forward to the long term data -- mid air collisions pre-TCAS and post-TCAS. So far, between Uberlingen and Brazil -- I've haven't seem any proof that TCAS has made anything safer. It make people
feel safer. But there's a big difference.
TCAS and Intercept by F-16
AIM 5-6-2. Interception Procedures
This is just one area with a serious disconnect in policies. Mr. Murphy has dozens of others awaiting us.
Don Brown