On the Dash-8-200 there is apparently a small door from the cabin to the "pit" that the FA can use to take a look if the fire alarm has gone off and put out the fire if there is one. It has been a while since I worked the -200 so I don't remember if it is actually there. I don't know about the -300, but the Q400 definitely does not have one (atleast not the QX Q400s).
Originally Posted by
gglave
...and I must admit I didn't get the sense there was any complex luggage balancing going on, unless 'huck the bags into the hold' is some new complex system I'm not otherwise aware of
When there are only a few bags, there is no point in stacking carefully (unless W&B is a significant factor). When there are a lot of bags, that is when we pay close attention to where the bags are going (ie, not soft bags on the bottom).