Flying Regional Jets???

[Cattrip]

First, a CRJ200 & ERJ145 do not have a "gate check" compartment -- everything is loaded in the back. Second, it doesn't matter if it's in the front or the back. If you don't believe me then fine but that's the way it is. You can have items in a checked bag that would be prohibited in a carry on. When you are unable to verify what type of bag it is then it gets treated as the most restrictive just like the most restrictive measures would be applied in any other secured area.

It looks like with social distancing the plane won't be full...I am hoping this means my carryon will fit.

 

[sam_gordon]

I have gate checked kids items(stroller etc.) it is left at the front of the plane entrance and upon landing is set right at the same spot. ..usually a bit worse for wear lol I assume this is what may happen to our carryon bags should there not be enough room.

That is what happens often for larger carryons when you're on a regional jet. They don't have the room in the overheads like larger planes do, so you'll generally leave your carryons in a certain place (usually toward the end of the gateway), board the plane, and when the flight is over, wait in a designated are for the carryons to be delivered to.

 

[spiders]

If that's the lesson you're trying to impart, why didn't you say so? I don't think anyone would disagree with that.

For that matter, gate checked "valet" bags (that you would expect to get back at your next gate) could be left on the ground and not loaded on the plane. That's a more likely scenario (and just as valid a lesson for "keep anything you need to get your hands on"). Or an airline worker could rifle through your bags for valuables. Never leave anything not easily replaced out of your sight while travelling)

Also, why should we believe you? Have you had this happen to you (valet tag come off the bag and they won't return the bag to you)? Do you work for an airline or airport?

Yes. I did. And is the tag was missing then you weren’t getting it back - end of story.

 

[chasgoose]

Yes. I did. And is the tag was missing then you weren’t getting it back - end of story.

I have never had that issue when flying CRJs or ERJ135/145s and I'm a very frequent flyer for work. I also usually keep the same gate check tag on my bag for months until it finally gives out and falls off (a few times during a flight). They might not have a separate compartment, but typically gate checked bags are loaded last and they know that gate check bags without tags in the gate check area are likely gate checked. I've also never had anyone "check" my tags to confirm it was me, they just load the bags on the jetway or in a bin on the tarmac (depending on the airport and everyone just grabs their bag). The only time I have had an issue with gate checking is when the baggage handlers at my departure airport forgot to load my bag on my flight. Just know to put everything you need during the flight in your smaller carryon and anything super important as well (same as you would if checking luggage) because there is no way a standard carry-on is going to fit in the overheads on those planes and its just going to delay everything to try. Finally, yes, factor in that its going to take a bit more time to get off the plane with gate checking (also at many hub airports, regional flights operate from a separate terminal/concourse than mainline flights so it could take a bit longer to get to your next gate)

Otherwise aside from the comfort issue if its a CRJ or an ERJ135146 (E170s and E190s are actually usually nicer than mainline planes even if they are technically regional jets) there's nothing to worry about for a CRJ. Certainly not from a safety perspective. I will say that airlines are more likely to cancel regional flights if serious weather issues do occur than they are to cancel mainline flights, but not significantly more enough to worry about, certainly not enough to spend $380 more on a mainline flight. Also, in the event your flight is cancelled, it's easier to rebook people from a CRJ flight since there are fewer passengers. Unless the mainline flight has drastically better timing, I would stick to the CRJ. I'm not a huge fan of them, especially since as a frequent flyer its harder to get an upgrade (and that is assuming there is a cabin to upgrade to) but I would never pay that much more to avoid a CRJ unless it was for flight timing reasons.

 

[Riddlepilot]

The gate check tag falling off is rare but it does happen. And spiders is correct about what happens. As a regional airline captain I've seen it happen. We are trying to get off the airplane and there's still someone standing in the jet bridge waiting on their bag. After confirming that they did valet check the bag and didn't check it at the ticket counter, I'll run downstairs, usually the rampers already have a bag set aside that has no tag. No valet check tag or the tag they put on checked bags. We'll take that bag up and confirm that it's theirs and either send it to baggage claim, or create a tag to put it on the connecting flight. They don't get to touch the bag or take anything out of it. I've also had one instance where we had a couple of last minute pax and they left there carry ons at the end of the jet bridge and no one noticed them and they got left behind. So yes always keep keys medication passports things of that nature on your person.

 

[msmayor]

It looks like with social distancing the plane won't be full...I am hoping this means my carryon will fit.

Maybe...but the other point about flying regional jets is the weight distribution. It has to be right for takeoff, and they have special sensors to tell the flight crew where the weight is located.

I've watched the ground crew load weights into the cargo hold...from a cart labeled "Ballast" - to ensure things were balanced. One trip, flying home from Buffalo, they made an announcement on board at the gate requesting a volunteer from rows 1-5 agree to move to an open seat in the rear of the plane, just until we reached the right altitude, so the weight was correct for takeoff and then he/she could move back to the front.

There may be a reason you won't be able to have your carryon on board with you, and it may have nothing to do with available space.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I've flown Embraers from PHL to BUF a few times...single seat on one side of the aisle, two seats on the other. I find them very cramped foot-wise because the curvature of the fuselage interferes with the amount of foot space on the window side. That being said, just fine for the short 50 minute flight.

Just don't book the window seat on the two seat side?

Like most careful drivers, I avoid driving near semis.

Too safety conscious and intelligent, and with too much common sense to draft, huh?

 

[Riddlepilot]

Maybe...but the other point about flying regional jets is the weight distribution. It has to be right for takeoff, and they have special sensors to tell the flight crew where the weight is located.

I've watched the ground crew load weights into the cargo hold...from a cart labeled "Ballast" - to ensure things were balanced. One trip, flying home from Buffalo, they made an announcement on board at the gate requesting a volunteer from rows 1-5 agree to move to an open seat in the rear of the plane, just until we reached the right altitude, so the weight was correct for takeoff and then he/she could move back to the front.

There may be a reason you won't be able to have your carryon on board with you, and it may have nothing to do with available space.

Not entirely true, first there are no sensors to tell the pilots that the aircraft is outside the cg envelope it's just math. You weigh 190 lbs (195 from November to April). If you're under 12 you weigh 82lbs (87 from November to April) Any bags you carry on with you are included in your weight, but if you valet check the bag and it goes into the cargo compartment it weighs 30 lbs. So as long as there is room on the plane they will let you bring your carry on. As a matter of fact there have been times when we show say 50lbs overweight, I asked the rampers to find to small valet checked bags and get the flight attendant to stuff them under a seat and voila the airplane is 60lbs lighter and we are good to go. So if there is room on the plane you can bring your carry on on board.