You Think RJs are Tight?

It looks about the same as a Beechcraft 1900.. the one with the tail on upside down. Maybe there is some more head room, but the effect is the same. Not a close second for being awful are the J-31s, the ones with the wing spar in the aisle so you can trip and injure yourself.

Of course you get to the tropics and things change dramatically. Ever fly from Belize International to San Pedro? Charming. They let passengers sit on the copilot’s seat. Of course Cape Air from Martha’s Vineyard to Boston used to do the same thing. (Just don’t touch the peddles or stick).

Ah takes me back to a flight on Air Midwest Metro from Fort Wayne to ORD. There were summer thunderstorms in the area and it was quite the ride, and a bit amusing too. Before departure from FWA, “Joe Aviation” was bragging to his friends about what a seasoned and experienced air traveler. If they could only have seen him once the turbulence hit. He was screaming and crying all the way to ORD.

Steve, I flew on one of those J-31′s a few years back and had always wondered what the “hump” in the middle of the cabin was. Thanks for the clarification!

Edited to add – yeah Beech 1900 and Jetstream 32 are not much better. I regularly fly these for up to 2 hours on some routes.

Haven’t we all flown on such small puddle-jumpers? I live in Colorado, and small commuter craft crossing the windy Continental Divide can provide the bonus of a real rock-and-roll ride — a lot like The Global Traveller’s New Zealand flights. Then there was the small Soviet-era commuter plane between San Pedro Sula and Roatan (or was it Le Ceiba?), Honduras with patches welded onto the engine cowling where the engine might have once thrown a rod — and oh yes, the door rattled throughout the flight. In situations like that, tight quarters and little headroom are the least of it.

Claire @ http://travel-babel.blogspot.com

Steve — when I saw this post, it reminded me of my upcoming flight on Tropic Air from Belize City (BZE) to Placencia. Last time around, I got to sit behind the copilot seat (still a great position to take pics through the front window). This time I know what’s going on and will run straight for the copilot seat :)

Oliver,

TROPIC AIR! Thats the one. I flew from BZE to San Pedro to Corozal. I’m not sure there really is an airport in Corozal. I think we landed on a cow path. I did see a little jungle shack that I think was the terminal. Yes, run and get the co pilot seat. It really was a nice flight from BZE to San Pedro. I loved the fact that the strip was right in town and you could walk.

Steve – I doubt you’re alone on hating the CRJ and preferring the ERJ… Presented with the option and knowledge I think most people would go for the ERJ…

Hey, I have flown in Metros. Take a look at ONE important thing: YOU HAVE SOME SHOULDER ROOM. Ok.. not much, but its better than the CRJ where the ribs of the fuselage dig into your shoulder, or the Beechcraft 1900D where there is.. well not much at all except a seat and a wing spar to trip over.