usa18dca

Sad day for ExpressJet actually...

dinoscool3

Why is everyone so sad? Q400 I feel have MORE leg room then even some 737s in Y

Edit:well other then FC, but they are replacing ERJ

ssullivan

Other than row 12 and 1A on the ERJ, most seats on the Q400 are more comfortable than most seats on the ERJs. The overhead bins are also slightly larger (even more so on the newly delivered next generation Q400s), and those of us who are tall can actually stand upright in the aisle of a Q400 (the only regional aircraft with a higher ceiling is the EMB-170/190 series).

I really don't mind this aircraft at all. In fact, I kind of like flying on it, provided the flight isn't too long (under 350-400 miles).

BigPoppaCO

I'd rather walk than get on one of those Colgan deathtraps.

marklyon

Looks like the IAH->JAN flights have been replaced with Colgan and the Q400. I actually liked the Expressjet ERJ145s.

I need to fly there in February for a CLE. Delta has tickets for $40 less that don't involve flying on Colgan. I have a feeling that this Pres. Plat. will be earning Skypesos on this next trip.

OPFlyer

IAH-MFE was also another route that was announced. Q400 service is said to start Feb. 13.

Vermando

Agree with the sentiment above that these planes can be perfectly fine, especially compared to the alternatives. The problem is they'll be run by Colgan, which has shown itself to be as reliable a travel partner as a drug addict paying his rent.

dinoscool3

I hove flown colgan many times recently, and theres was nothin wrong. One accident, and they are terrible

rkkwan

Have you watched the Frontline program "Flying Cheap" on PBS?

CALMSP

aree 100%. No one probably thought twice about flying them prior to the BUF accident.

Vermando

Apologies for my hyperbolic language. I wasn't speaking specifically about safety issues. Rather, I was talking about their on-time rates, and then CO's inability to adapt.

I fly out of small markets. The express jet flights are much more reliable than the colgan flights, and I had the same experience when I lived near and flew out of EWR to smaller markets. Colgan was routinely unreliable, often drastically so with hour+ delays even when there was no discernible weather problem and the express jet, mainline flights, and regional jet flights with other airlines were running fine.

Maybe this is just due to flying ERJs v. Saabs, but it has been my consistent experience and leads me to avoid Colgan like the plague. Any increase in their operations - in frequency of their flights or a change which allows them to fly larger planes and carry more passengers - is a negative to me.

ssullivan

Part of that experience, especially if you're talking about Colgan out of IAH, was the Saabs. Those planes are really showing their age, and maintenance delays aren't uncommon on them. They also don't handle certain weather conditions as well as the ERJs.

The Q400 isn't an ERJ, but it does have better reliability and is more capable in more types of weather than the Saabs.

As for Colgan, from a purely customer service point of view (I'm not talking safety issues or perceived safety issues here), they have dramatically improved in the last couple of years. I've not had any bad flights with them, and their ground staff at IAH, as well as the crews on board, seem to be much improved over what they were when they first took over the turboprop routes out of IAH.

N1120A

Kind of unfunny

Not to mention that the Q400 is designed and built in Canada.

Why?

The plane isn't a deathtrap at all. Colgan's policies are what are problematic.

Halo117

Well do these Q400s have window shades?

I prefer the RJ145 as you have a 1-2 seating arrangement. I would rather have a single seat with no seatmate than extra legroom. Plus speed and altitude become a factor as far as passenger comfort.

enviroian

I'll be on one in a few weeks okc-iah. I look forward to it. I flew it for the 1st time last may, ewr-pwm (portland ME...can't remember if that is the correct code?). At any rate, fast and comfortable. Not too hot on flying Colgan though