Originally Posted by jmcmanna

If you are 500' above or below a VFR King Air, you *are* separated - we only need 500' between a VFR and IFR, even in class B (heavies and 757s are the exception). If a controller issues that traffic, you can ask for a vector around or away from him and the controller is supposed to make an effort to do that. You're right, in class E, we don't *have* to even do that, but I don't know any controllers who would let you run right at another target, same altitude, and not try to get you away from it.

It sounds like TCAS and the FAA's minimums don't agree. My personal feeling is that if I called the traffic, and they're both level at least 500' apart, I do nothing unless a pilot asks for a turn away from them. The reason is that early in my career, I was asked by a pilot why I was turning his airplane when the other guy was level 500' above him.

So, if someone wants a turn away, I will give it to them. If they say nothing, I let them run because it's safe and legal for me to do so.