turboprops

[maxiesmom]

How different are they from regional jets? Are they really loud? Really Bumpy? Do you still get Flight Attendants? Is the safety gear all the same? Do they have rest-rooms on board?

 

[DebbieB]

It depends on how big it is. Do you know what the airline/model is? They go from under 20 seats up to over 50.

 

[safetymom]

Yes they will have a flight attendant. Yes there is a bathroom onboard. They do have safety equipment.

The flights can be loud and you usually feel the bumps more in a small plane. But all that said I haven't had a bad flight in a small plane.

 

[snowbunny]

It really depends on what it is.
There are a couple of planes I avoid at all costs as I have a notoriously weak stomach. Even that said, I have only needed the barf bag once in my life, on a turboprop fighting a headwind into BWI.

 

[bavaria]

I haven't had a bad flight in a small plane.

I have - I won't share them here. But I will no longer fly a very small plane unless I have absolutely no choice at all.

Turboprops are common to many fleets and they do vary greatly in size as noted here. But generally there are no issues with them - keep in mind that I have flown far more than the average reader here so I am liable to have had more bad experiences as well.....

 

[bab31]

flying out of our regional airport- occasionally we have gotten the propeller one. I am glad that the flight is just under a half hour. But if I had to fly it longer I would. They are by no means as comfortable as jets. But I dont feel unsafe.Lots louder- one flight there were only one seat on each side- the copilot was also the attendent!

 

[ntsammy5]

I like the dash-8s better than the RJ

 

[maxiesmom]

I like the dash-8s better than the RJ

That is what it is, a dash 8 200.

 

[TaraPA]

Just flew one from Fort Lauderdale to a tiny Bahamas Out Island - no flight attendant, no bathroom, no nothing. Just the pilot, co-pilot (nothing even separating them from us) and about 15 passengers. Have flown many from PHL to ABE - again never a bathroom on one, but most did have a flight attendant, yet no beverage/snack. VERY loud, very bumpy. Sometimes it's the only way to get from A to B. So whoever said they all have restrooms never flew on the ones I have! You better go before you leave the airport!

 

[safetymom]

Wow. I haven't been on any small planes where we didn't have a flight attendant or bathroom.

 

[TaraPA]

Wow. I haven't been on any small planes where we didn't have a flight attendant or bathroom.

Both flights have been under 60 min. so maybe that's why. I have no idea how they determine which short flights get which turbo props. We're taking a 10-seater out of Abaco Bahamas on Tuesday...not looking forward to it! I don't mind it one bit but DS10 get motion sick & DS7 is terrified so I'm always worked up keeping an eye on both of them, and wondering which will get sick first! Knock on wood, the flight over here last week was uneventful (except DS10 punched DS7in the stomach right before we took off because he wanted the seat he was in.....oh the drama!!)

 

[plutospup]

That is what it is, a dash 8 200.

I've been on many Dash-8's. They are a very reliable aircraft. From a handling perspective they do better than some of the RJ's, especially in poor weather.

From a comfort perspective...well it's smaller than a mainline aircraft, but then again, you're only going to be on it for a short time. Enjoy the ride.

 

[abner1776]

Turbo's are only flown on short haul flights these days and that usually means less than 75 minutes, so I would not get too concerned about them. On only the smallest Beechcrafts will you not have a bathroom on board and most of the larger turbo's you will have one flight attendant.

Noise can be the only drawback with the turbo's but for the short time you are in them, it's not a big deal.

As far as safety is concerned..well...keep in mind that the "hurricane hunter" aircraft that fly into the centers of hurricanes....they are not jets...they are turboprops.

 

[DebbieB]

Here is some information on the Dash 8:

http://www.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=120

37-40 seats, there will be one flight attendent and a restroom. The overheads are very small, you will have to check most carryon bags planeside.

Found this on seat guru:

http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/US_Airways/US_Airways_Dash_82.php

 

[maxiesmom]

You guys are awesome!

I have been looking all over, and could not come up with a seat map, or an interior picture to get an idea of what it might look like. And I will pass that info along about hurricane hunters being turbo props. That should help calm some of the nerves. Thanks bunches!!!!

 

[ricktib]

Anything under 20 seats does not require a flight attendant. The most common of that type that's still flying is the Beechcraft 1900. Mesa Airlines flies them for USAirways Express, and having worked for that company, I would not put my family on one of theirs. They hire VERY inexperienced pilots, among other factors.