Flying Regional Jets???

[Cattrip]

Hello. I am taking United (credit card miles) to Aulani. I am flying in the dead of winter...ice, snow etc. Would you #1- spend an extra 380.00 by taking a larger airbus for the first hour of your flight or #2- save 380 and take a small regional jet in winter?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

The regional jets have all the capability of the larger mainline airplanes.

 

[Best Aunt]

How small is the regional jet? If you are claustrophobic or subject to motion sickness, that makes a difference.

 

[JM23457]

Hello. I am taking United (credit card miles) to Aulani. I am flying in the dead of winter...ice, snow etc. Would you #1- spend an extra 380.00 by taking a larger airbus for the first hour of your flight or #2- save 380 and take a small regional jet in winter?

I don't know why winter would make a difference (I'm a Texan lol), but I would always opt for an Airbus over a regional jet, especially if you're not sitting up front.

 

[spiders]

There is nothing wrong with regional jets.

With that being said, in the winter, if there are going to be flow restrictions to get into the airport then the regional jets will always bear the brunt of those delays. Regional jets are flown by contract carriers and the airline can and will prioritize it's mainline aircraft over it's regional feed. I still wouldn't personally pay an extra $380 .

 

[Nebraska_Disney]

There is nothing wrong with regional jets.

With that being said, in the winter, if there are going to be flow restrictions to get into the airport then the regional jets will always bear the brunt of those delays. Regional jets are flown by contract carriers and the airline can and will prioritize it's mainline aircraft over it's regional feed. I still wouldn't personally pay an extra $380 .

THIS ! My home airport is nothing but regional jets, so I fly them often for work. A 1-hour flight on one is not worth the $380 expense to upgrade. You should be able to see what class of RJ you are on and how big it is as some do seat upwards of 100 people while others are 50, not all RJ's are alike ! What airport are you connecting through? Even in Chicago in the dead of winter I have not had many issues or delays on a RJ, but it can happen.

 

[Cattrip]

THIS ! My home airport is nothing but regional jets, so I fly them often for work. A 1-hour flight on one is not worth the $380 expense to upgrade. You should be able to see what class of RJ you are on and how big it is as some do seat upwards of 100 people while others are 50, not all RJ's are alike ! What airport are you connecting through? Even in Chicago in the dead of winter I have not had many issues or delays on a RJ, but it can happen.

We would be connecting in Chicago-it is a small CJ

 

[Cattrip]

How small is the regional jet? If you are claustrophobic or subject to motion sickness, that makes a difference.

Small....50 seats, but for one hour. I guess I am a little concerned about safety seeing it is winter.

 

[shoegal9]

Small....50 seats, but for one hour. I guess I am a little concerned about safety seeing it is winter.

I fly those 50 seat Regional Jets (usually American Eagle/CJ) from DC to Charleston, SC weekly for work. Even in the winter with snow/ice, its been fine. Not that DC is a winter wonderland, but we do get snow/ice in the winters. For one hour no way i would spend that extra cash!

 

[Cattrip]

I fly those 50 seat Regional Jets (usually American Eagle/CJ) from DC to Charleston, SC weekly for work. Even in the winter with snow/ice, its been fine. Not that DC is a winter wonderland, but we do get snow/ice in the winters. For one hour no way i would spend that extra cash!

Thank you! That helps me a lot.

 

[Nebraska_Disney]

I fly those 50 seat Regional Jets (usually American Eagle/CJ) from DC to Charleston, SC weekly for work. Even in the winter with snow/ice, its been fine. Not that DC is a winter wonderland, but we do get snow/ice in the winters. For one hour no way i would spend that extra cash!

Ditto this. I fly into Chicago on the 50 seat CJ's often into/out of Lincoln, NE where I live. United has started using these planes more and more (prior to COVID) even out of larger airports on shorter routes that don't fill up planes regularly. They are safe, they would not be in use if they were not.

 

[Brer Chump]

I don’t have an issue with regional jets. I do have an issue with regional airlines. The pilots have historically been overworked, underpaid and low on experience compared to the mainline carriers. With the pilot shortage and new regulations this is getting rectified. I would fly the mainline carrier.

 

[DebbieB]

RJ's are cramped but for an hour, I would go for it. One time I was flying home from Hartford during a snowstorm, I thought for sure my flight would be cancelled. It was on an RJ. We taxied out guided by a truck with flashing lights, got deiced at the end of the runway and off we went.

Talking about next winter, flight schedules could change. The majors are always making flight changes.

 

[sam_gordon]

I don’t have an issue with regional jets. I do have an issue with regional airlines. The pilots have historically been overworked, underpaid and low on experience compared to the mainline carriers. With the pilot shortage and new regulations this is getting rectified. I would fly the mainline carrier.

But would you pay an extra $380 to fly the mainline carrier?

Are regional jets my favorite or aircraft of choice? No. But looking at time & cost, they may very well be what I pick. I wouldn't worry about weather or crew experience (you have no idea if the guy driving the semi next to you has been on the road for 30 years or 30 days. Or if they have experience driving in ice/snow).

 

[msmayor]

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.

The one issue is baggage. You cannot expect to be able to take a standard size roll-aboard carryon, at least on the flights I take. They are all valet-gate checked before you head on to the plane. Bag is tagged, you get the tear-off 'check stub' and leave it at the door. They are then loaded in the hold, and after landing everyone lines up in the jetway waiting for your carry-on to come out of the hold. It can add some extra time if you need to make a connection.

 

[JM23457]

You have no idea if the guy driving the semi next to you has been on the road for 30 years or 30 days. Or if they have experience driving in ice/snow.

Like most careful drivers, I avoid driving near semis.

 

[sam_gordon]

Like most careful drivers, I avoid driving near semis.

You have the choice? I pass them, they pass me, can't exactly avoid them.

 

[spiders]

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.

The one issue is baggage. You cannot expect to be able to take a standard size roll-aboard carryon, at least on the flights I take. They are all valet-gate checked before you head on to the plane. Bag is tagged, you get the tear-off 'check stub' and leave it at the door. They are then loaded in the hold, and after landing everyone lines up in the jetway waiting for your carry-on to come out of the hold. It can add some extra time if you need to make a connection.

To add to that, do not leave anything valuable or anything that you will need in that bag (e.g. keys, passports, etc...). If the tag gets ripped off then it must be treated as checked baggage which means you won't be getting it back until you reach your final destination at baggage claim.

Unless you're on an E170/175 or for United, a CRJ550, then you're going to have to give up your carry on.

 

[GingerPilot]

I don’t have an issue with regional jets. I do have an issue with regional airlines. The pilots have historically been overworked, underpaid and low on experience compared to the mainline carriers. With the pilot shortage and new regulations this is getting rectified. I would fly the mainline carrier.

lol what? There are bad apples and less experienced pilots at mainline too, though more at the regionals. But they’re all technically trained to the same standard and hold the same qualifications. Thrn
I lot shortage dramatically improved pay and work rules for all, including regional and low cost carriers.
By the way the pilot shortage ended in mid March. There will be tens if thousands of unemployed but very well qualified pilots in the streets come October 1st. Many of them will get jobs at the regionals and they could be hiring before the majors recall furloughs.

Anywho,

save your $380 and take the regional jet. It’ll be fine.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

If you’re talking comfort, than I will modify my original post.
If you’re talking safety, airplane wise, I stand by my original post.
Pilot experience is another matter, although if operating, and adhering to, part 121 standards you will have ZERO issues.

Source: Me. 30 year airline pilot