Originally Posted by Rossodio

I have an opportunity through work to travel CLT-BKW-PKB and back in order to work in an area close to PKB with booking through AA.com with Contour Airlines ERJ 135/145 as the aircraft and hopping through one small airport to get to another small airport. My other option is to fly to CMH through more standard bookings with American Eagle/PSA/AA mainline, though this would put me significantly further from my work site. I am hoping to find someone on here who has had reason to fly to PKB via CLT->BKW (or really anywhere through some Contour Airlines destination) and have some questions.....

1) As EXP would I get the same checked baggage allowance given I am booking through AA on the ERJ's? It appears that I would through Contour's website but want to make sure. Would bags check through both ways without much hassle? I would be bringing one checked bag well under 50 lbs along with a backpack as a carryon.
2) Would I get LP and AAdvantage miles (with multiplier for status) flying with Contour? I have never seen the "Contour Airlines as Public Charter" on the flight info when booking so have no idea about this.
3) The AA.com system has a 15 minute connection at BKW, also a very small regional airport, at least through what I see via aa.com. Is this doable? It may well be the exact same airplane flying CLT-BKW-PKB which would make sense, but not sure.
4) If anyone has flown this way, looking for info on the inflight service and seating. I believe they don't serve alcohol on the flights which is not a huge deal, but seats themselves appear to be much like domestic first class on AA mainline from what I can gather(?). Additional information or review of that product would be welcomed. If alcohol is served or can be brought on as minis I would be interested in knowing this, though again not crucial to know.
5) I cannot select a seat if booking through AA.com; would I be able to by calling Contour? All of the seats are effectively the same but I would want one on the left side of the plane so I would have window/aisle to myself ideally.
6) Any thoughts on rental car service at PKB? The booking would also get me into a car via corporate channels. I see Hertz connected to the airport but do not know if they actually service the airport and their official location is 15 minutes away via car. FWIW I have not flown into a small regional airport for work ever.

I love a beautiful drive and the idea of flying small craft to small airports, but not if the extra hassle would never make this whole idea worth it. I could call Contour to get more info on all of this but if it is all moot due to other factors I don't want to waste their time or mine with the call and queries.

Thanks for any thoughts from anyone who has travelled this sort of trip recently.