With Birmingham as my local airport or we have now is ARJ's and Emb's).
I hated them to start with, but have become accustomed to them.
The single seat option is always a big question. Single seat and you are sure of no elbow invasion, but hold out and you may get a double to yourself, which actually gives you a little space to eat-and-drink, read the paper etc.
My Samsonite roller-bag fits the overhead lockers fine, although the cabin-crew have to feel indulgent for you to get it on.
The crew have space to hang their jackets, ask nicely and quietly and you may be lucky.
One last tip: On the Emb (1-2 config), BA block-off [normally*] the very first single seat (the argument being you cannot see the safety demo from the seat). Even on the most full of flights, ask early enough and you should be able to bag this seat. Of course some of us have an arrangement at check-in
*They some times forget, and the crew get grumpy!