Is Horizon Airlines safe?
Mar 24, 2015, 2:38 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 24
Is Horizon Airlines safe?
I have to fly on Friday from Oakland to Portland on Horizon Air, which is part of Alaska. Both my flights are on old propeller planes! I've never flown in a propeller plane before and I've never flown Alaska before. Now I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this airline and plane? I think its the Dash or something. Sounds dangerous and old fashioned. 
Also to make matters worse that plane crash today is not helping my nerves. I mean...that was a big jet that crashed for no reason with experienced pilots, for an airline that was safe. I'm starting to get super nervous. I heard they put the least experienced/training pilots on the regionals and propeller planes.
Also to make matters worse that plane crash today is not helping my nerves. I mean...that was a big jet that crashed for no reason with experienced pilots, for an airline that was safe. I'm starting to get super nervous. I heard they put the least experienced/training pilots on the regionals and propeller planes.
Mar 24, 2015, 2:44 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: SLC
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Posts: 124
QX is a fun airline with great staff (both pilots and flight attendants). The airline has a very clean safety record with only one incident with the Bombardier Dash-8 Q400.
IMHO the Dash-8 is one of the best turboprops out there, and have no qualms flying QX.
The airline also completed the International Air Transport Association's Operational Safety Audit (of which its been audited every other year since 2006, with the audit program being started in 2003).
IMHO the Dash-8 is one of the best turboprops out there, and have no qualms flying QX.
The airline also completed the International Air Transport Association's Operational Safety Audit (of which its been audited every other year since 2006, with the audit program being started in 2003).
Last edited by OO-SLC-CR9; Mar 24, 2015 at 2:52 pm Reason: Added IOSA
Mar 24, 2015, 2:46 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2007
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I don't know why there is such fear over propeller driven aircraft. They are operated as safely as jet aircraft.
And it's loads safer to fly OAK-PDX on Horizon than to drive.
And it's loads safer to fly OAK-PDX on Horizon than to drive.
Mar 24, 2015, 2:50 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 24
My fear is because they put the new/training pilots on propeller planes. You have to have more experience to fly a jet. I mean if people take flying lessons they start out on propeller planes. There was a colgan airlines propeller plane that crashed 5 or 6 years ago because the pliots didn't know what they were doing (the copilot was 24 years old, and the captain had failed competency tests). If I could have gotten a jet I would have but the budget I'm working under wouldn't allow me to.
Mar 24, 2015, 2:55 pm
#5
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: AS MVPG
Posts: 2,206
Horizon fleet is fairly new, they are still get factory fresh aircraft. Nothing old fashioned about them. Safety is pretty much the same across the industry, type of aircraft or airline (including pilot experience) has no measurable impact on safety statistics.
Q-400 is a nice plane, enjoy the flight, worry about the drive to the airport
Mar 24, 2015, 2:59 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2005
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I have to fly on Friday from Oakland to Portland on Horizon Air, which is part of Alaska. Both my flights are on old propeller planes! I've never flown in a propeller plane before and I've never flown Alaska before. Now I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this airline and plane? I think its the Dash or something. Sounds dangerous and old fashioned. Also to make matters worse that plane crash today is not helping my nerves. I mean...that was a big jet that crashed for no reason with experienced pilots, for an airline that was safe. I'm starting to get super nervous. I heard they put the least experienced/training pilots on the regionals and propeller planes.
Also to make matters worse that plane crash today is not helping my nerves. I mean...that was a big jet that crashed for no reason with experienced pilots, for an airline that was safe. I'm starting to get super nervous. I heard they put the least experienced/training pilots on the regionals and propeller planes.The QX pilots are held to the same standards as those who fly jet aircraft. Their training is just as rigorous and they are just as proficient.
You appear to have survived your trip to CPH back in '08 (presuming you took it). Why worry about a relatively short flight on a modern and safe turboprop? They serve free wine and beer, have your choice and enjoy the trip!
Mar 24, 2015, 3:06 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: AS MVPG
Posts: 2,206
My fear is because they put the new/training pilots on propeller planes. You have to have more experience to fly a jet. I mean if people take flying lessons they start out on propeller planes. There was a colgan airlines propeller plane that crashed 5 or 6 years ago because the pliots didn't know what they were doing (the copilot was 24 years old, and the captain had failed competency tests). If I could have gotten a jet I would have but the budget I'm working under wouldn't allow me to.
Airline pilots are well trained, educated and highly skilled. No reason to doubt their competency as a passenger. Unfortunately pilots are still human, and no matter the amount of reduncy, rules, regulations, etc there is, problems do happen. It's just so infrequent that if anything does happen, it's big news when it does. In reality there really isn't anything you could be doing that is safer than flying.
Mar 24, 2015, 3:09 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Seattle
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My fear is because they put the new/training pilots on propeller planes. You have to have more experience to fly a jet. I mean if people take flying lessons they start out on propeller planes. There was a colgan airlines propeller plane that crashed 5 or 6 years ago because the pliots didn't know what they were doing (the copilot was 24 years old, and the captain had failed competency tests). If I could have gotten a jet I would have but the budget I'm working under wouldn't allow me to.
Mar 24, 2015, 3:19 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVPG
Posts: 6
Horizon is just fine.
The Q400 is actually pretty nice for short flights - quick load/unload, quick takeoff, quick service with free beer and wine, etc.
Horizon has a great safety record; they have over 112,000 departures a year and carry millions of people without incident. No need to worry. Enjoy the flight!
The Q400 is actually pretty nice for short flights - quick load/unload, quick takeoff, quick service with free beer and wine, etc.
Horizon has a great safety record; they have over 112,000 departures a year and carry millions of people without incident. No need to worry. Enjoy the flight!
Mar 24, 2015, 3:20 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,024
Some on jets flying in north america are 25 years old ands older. But that does make them unsafe. They are maintained to the US government standards. You cannot say the same about all airlines in 3rd world countries
Mar 24, 2015, 3:20 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SEA
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Posts: 2,030
I have flown Horizon for many years all over the Northwest. Their crews are as good or better than any other regional ariline. I never have the slighest qualm about flying them. Their aircraft are newer and well maintained. Your fear of propeller aircraft dates back to the 50's and 60's when there was a major difference in aircraft, however, that has not been the case for decades.
Mar 24, 2015, 3:24 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: SLC
Programs: All the Programs...
Posts: 124
You can buy these aircraft new from the factory. They are not old.
Some on jets flying in north america are 25 years old ands older. But that does make them unsafe. They are maintained to the US government standards. You cannot say the same about all airlines in 3rd world countries
Some on jets flying in north america are 25 years old ands older. But that does make them unsafe. They are maintained to the US government standards. You cannot say the same about all airlines in 3rd world countries
Mar 24, 2015, 4:08 pm
#15
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 331
There was a colgan airlines propeller plane that crashed 5 or 6 years ago because the pliots didn't know what they were doing (the copilot was 24 years old, and the captain had failed competency tests). If I could have gotten a jet I would have but the budget I'm working under wouldn't allow me to.