Wow... I did what I expected to be my last CR2 segment on Air Wisconsin a couple weeks ago -- GRB-ORD seemed appropriate (and honestly I only moved on to that flight because (a) I knew Air Wisconsin was leaving the brand 'soon' and (b) it got me home 8 hours sooner than the next best option on a real airplane. But I didn't expect the end was this nigh.
I loved Air Wisconsin crews -- some of the most professional and "seasoned "on average, IMO, particularly among regionals but boy do I hate the CR2 with a passion. If the crews were any less on top of things (e.g. the FA on GRB-ORD asked if myself and the other 1K would like a beverage -- adult or otherwise -- on a flight that was otherwise a water-only service) I'd avoid them with even more of a passion.
Unfortunately we still have OO with CR2s under the UA banner. If only those would go out to the desert for a retirement I wouldn't have to be as cautious about booking into tertiary markets. (It sucks as it is that UA.com's aircraft type filter unchecking the Canadair Regional Jet box doesn't actually hide CR2 flights... almost booked CR2 to ATW by accident that way last week)
Originally Posted by
JimInOhio
I don't know if DL's regional operations were the first to put the CR2 into service but I'm pretty sure they were the first I flew on. I still recall my reaction at the time... it was so much better than an EMB-120 or Saab 340.
I grew up on the west coast doing a lot of OO flying (UA or DL depending on the phase of the moon) from SAN/ONT/LAX to FAT when my parents moved south but the rest of mom's family stayed north. Starting on the Fairchild Metrol III ("Pencil Prop") and being super excited when we got the EMB-120 with a "flight attendant" (and a lav!) -- likewise a lot of NW Saab 340s DTW-PLN for my grandparents. I remembered looking at the OO inflight mag with the airplane types and lusting after the CRJ-100/200 -- ooohhh, "Jet!" me wants to fly on a route with one of those!
Pretty sure my first CRJ was a Pinnacle CR2 from DTW-PLN and my reaction was less than enthusiastic -- but I was young and supple. As I have aged (grey hair! 348 days until 40! Aaaahhhhh!) and become less flexible my need to see a chirporactor after every CR2 flight has only increased and I would gladly do a SF3 or E12 instead... I don't remember the cabins of the Metro III well enough to say I'd be willing to go back that far -- but just about anything with wings that's not a CR2.