Would you or have you ever flown on a turbo prop plane?

[ACvmk]

We are trying to throw together some last minute spring break plans. A flight we are looking at has it's first leg on a Continental airlines non-jet service plane...a turbo prop plane. I've only flown jet service. By the configuration it looks like there are only 19 rows...with 2 seats on one side of the aisle and only 1 seat on the other. Are these type of planes safe or are they too risky in your opinion? This leg of the trip would be a two hour flight. Do you feel more movement in these type of planes than regular jet service planes? Thanks for any help you can give me. We're using freq. flyer miles, so once we commit to this flight, there are no changes or refunds.

 

[In a hurry]

It use to be the only way to get off the ground! My dad flew one for years. They are noisy, and the ride a bit more rough due to the lighter weight. I would, of course, fly in one if that was the option. I don't know the official safety numbers as compared to jets, but I would feel perfectly safe in one.

 

[brerrabbit]

They are fine. I have flown on these type planes a lot and never had a problem. Of course flying does not bother me so I guess it really up to you. They can be less stable than the larger jets and are more prone to being shifted around in flight due to turbulence because thay are lighter. You should know they are much louder than larger jets and the seating is even smaller (if you can believe that) than larger jets. As far as safety goes I don't know the statistics compared to larger planes but I don't think that would influence me one way or another. I would not let this type plane stand between me and my vacation.

 

[Kae]

Yep. And they do not bother me. Most airlines are switching to the Canadir Reginal Jets which are very nice.

Kae

 

[Pooh67_68]

We have flown in a few and they are ok, although on time we had a very rough landing. My sister also flew in one from Allentown, Pa. to Canada.

 

[MoniqueU]

Flew one from Florida to the Bahamas. Didnt bother me at all. It was noisy was the only thing. I view airline crashes like I do the Lotto. It just isnt going to happen for me.

 

[KarenAylwood]

It's almost always been part of one of the legs of my flights home for holidays since I left home six years ago. They can be a bit nerve-wracking if you're scared of flying, but they're perfectly safe.

I mean, think about it- if a Continental (or any airline) turbo prop plane crashed- we'd all hear about it. Plane crashes don't happen that often, and I don't ever remember hearing one of these commercial small planes crashing just because it isn't as "safe" of a plane as larger ones.

 

[Seahunt]

My DH would fly in one in a minute, but I am a big c-h-i-c-k-e-n!

I'm always searching for all jet flights to avoid this! My friend had a short flight in one, then had to switch to a 747 for her overseas flight (talk about contrasts!) - on the turboprop they had to wait prior to takeoff while the guys "redistributed" the luggage to make sure the weight was OK for takeoff. I would have probably been like the guy recently that opened a door and jumped out of the plane on the tarmac and ran!

Someday I'm sure I'll have to get on one (only after LOTS of liquor! ) and the fear will leave, but until then,

 

[Kycha]

They are loud, thats for sure. DH and I were sitting across the aisle from one another and it was impossible to hold a conversation with him. We had to literally scream in each others ears to be heard. But, the flight was fine. In fact I quite enjoyed it. We flew from Lancaster to Philadelphia, PA(less than 100 miles). We didn't fly at a very high altitude, so I was able to watch all the sights fly by below us. We could even see our house and my office.

 

[dennis99ss]

safety wise, they have a worse record than jets do. Continental has had some go down, but it has been several years (late 1980's), I.E. John Tower and the Laredo crash. Delta has had some over on Floride. US Air has had some. One went down in Missouri last year. There has been a problem with icing on some of them. Generally, the pilots are not as well compensated, and hence, are usually younger, less experienced, etc. Although I don't like them, if I have to fly them, I do.

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

They are really loud and really small. I don't like flying in them because they are so loud and I recommend noise cancelling headphones and forgetting all conversations for the duration of the flight.

If your choice is flying a turbo-prop vs. not taking a vacation get on the plane!

 

[RadioNate]

I don't really like them. They are small and noisy. They've always been pretty rough rides. The flight I was on when the flight attendant hit the ceiling and broke her collar bone (we think not 100% certain) was a turbo prop. I used to fly them from Des Moines to Chicago all the time. They were fine. Not great but what can you do. If my option was a turbo prop, stay home or drive, I'd get on the plane.

 

[mrsstats]

Have flown them several times. Not a problem. I prefer the jets but when we have no choice and it means going on vacation, I can deal with it.

 

[DebbieB]

I always swore - no propellers. I had to fly Pittsburgh-Allentown for business last year and really didn't have a choice. I wasn't going to drive all that way myself. So onto the 34 seat prop (11 rows of 3 plus an extra in the back). It was a sweltering summer day and the plane was out in the sun. They couldn't turn on the air until the propellers were on but they couldn't turn the propellers on until the door was closed. So we were all sweating bullets. They had to switch some people around to even out the weight - yikes! But it really wasn't that bad when we got in the air. I was surprised how high we flew, I thought it would be low. It is loud. Sometimes you just have to suck it up and do it....

 

[AdventurerKat]

I rode on one from a flight back from Oregon to Seattle. I was really freaked out about it before we did it but it wasn't so bad. I will agree that its noisier and bumpier however.

 

[lindalinda]

I dont like them. They fly at lower altitudes than jets, you can practically see people on the ground. Also, the least senior pilots are on those planes. They are for short flights, so they take off and land several times per day. (the critical stages of flight, most likely for something to go wrong then)
Most airlines commuters are the regionaljets now, either CRJ's or E145's. Both of these, tho smaller than the regular jets, fly high and fast, and are better to fly in than for instance the old dc9's. (northwest still has a lot of these)

 

[Fifinella]

Turboprops are really loud--they will get your attention for sure. So, I have known some folks to find them rather headache-inducing. And being smaller than your 737s, they can give you more 'feel' in the seat of your pants when things get bouncy.

The pilots are usually there building hours before moving on to the big iron. So, it's true, they're less experienced, but they have some flight time under their belts already. They're trained, and even though they may look twelve years old, they know what they're doing. Honestly!

Weight and balance is pretty important, so if things and people get moved around a bit, that's a good thing. (If you want to see some w&b fun, try telling your 3 friends why you can't take all of them up in a Cessna 172 on a hot day...they're not small people and neither am I, alas!)

Have a great trip and enjoy your flight!

 

[ACvmk]

I dont like them. They fly at lower altitudes than jets, you can practically see people on the ground. Also, the least senior pilots are on those planes. They are for short flights, so they take off and land several times per day. (the critical stages of flight, most likely for something to go wrong then)
Most airlines commuters are the regionaljets now, either CRJ's or E145's. Both of these, tho smaller than the regular jets, fly high and fast, and are better to fly in than for instance the old dc9's. (northwest still has a lot of these)

From what I understand this flight is a Embraer RJ145 - a 50 seater. I'll tell you...after reading all the varied responses, I'm still not convinced this is the way to go. I am very concerned after hearing about the pilot's youth and general inexperience. Yikes! I just don't know what to do!

 

[dennis99ss]

Its a regional jet, not a turbo prop.

 

[ACvmk]

Its a regional jet, not a turbo prop.

Really? I thought this was a prop plane! When I called Continental, I specifically asked if this plane was jet service. Does this mean these planes have more experienced pilots?