Need a little boost..flying an ERJ for the 1st time

[Hoosier]

Hey everybody,

Not sure if anyone remembers me, but I was able to get on a plane again in 07 after being grounded for 22 years. The great posters on this board were a huge part of that.

Since that time, I have flown on 7 different trips. Honestly, not much of a sweat now. The problem is that all of the trips have been from BNA on SWA.

I have to go to Dallas in January and AA has a non stop direct from my hometown airport, EVV. The costs is nearly identical as a SW trip and the company doesn't have to pay mileage and parking.

It's a no brainer to go from EVV. I just have never been on an ERJ-145 and am starting to get some of my old anxieties again.

The cool thing is I have a single seat going and coming.

[Barb-SAN]

Hey, good to hear from you, and congratulations on your continued success with comfortable flying.

I've only flown once on a regional jet...there are others here with much more experience. I do remember there wasn't quite as much room for carryon luggage, but other than that, the flight was fine.

Have you checked out some of the photos of your plane on www.jetphotos.net (http://www.jetphotos.net)? That's one way of getting acquainted with your new friend...;). Will you plan to visit the pilots and check out the cockpit too? Do you have a good viewing spot at your local airport, where you could go out and watch those planes taking off and landing? Anything that makes you more familiar with them ahead of time may help.

Here's a link to some photos:...there's over 15,000 ER145's in the database...you may wish to search more specifically...(cabin, cockpit, etc) http://www.jetphotos.net/showphotos.php?aircraft=Embraer+ERJ-145&airline=-2&country=-2&photog=-2&category=-2&year=-2&keywordrange=all&keywordlimiter=2&keywords=&sort=1&genre=1&size=-2&mainsearch=search&displaymode=1&display=15

[aerobat]

Hey, Hoosier,

Of course we remember you; you are one of our stellar success stories, and it was all so well-documented right down to the eleventh hour and the grand leap. :tiphat::tiphat:

It's very, very common when people start flying again to latch onto the airline that got them over the hump, and the model of plane, and to consider that part of the magic and the safety net. So now there are other steps to be taken in order to broaden your comfort zone, and flying other carriers and other models is a part of that, along with your rational inquiry as to that carrier's reliability and service.

I love the CRJ and the ERJ myself. I haven't had that many opportunities to ride on them, but I look forward to it. They are sleek, get off the ground and up to cruise very fast (sweetly, not scarily) and they are safe. American is also one of my regulars and I like them a lot.

You'll be fine. And you'll have a new adventure to share!! :happyguy:

[nervousflyer]

Hi Hoosier!

I remember reading some of your previous posts. I'm also back at the forums after being away, flying successfully, and I TOO am nervous about flying on an ERJ-145!

I have never flown on a plane so small, which is what worries me. Also, it's Continental Express, or Expressjet, which had that crash in Buffalo this year. :( As it was due to pilot error, it totally freaks me out. I worry regional airliners don't have as good of pilots, maintainence, etc.

I'm also worried about how much I'll feel on this plane, like if I'll get sick to my stomach from the 'g's I'm feeling!

When do you fly?

I fly MSP to Newark a week from today, Saturday the 28th.

We can both do this! :) :thumbsup: We've both overcome our fears befor and should look upon this with a sense of excitement and adventure.

Oh, and I think to myself, at least they're jets and not turboprops...(I think the plane that crashed was a turboprop..?)

[Aurora]

The plane that crashed was as I've understood a Dash 8 Q400, which is a turboprop. There has been some issues with these planes in my country - the landing gear collapsed - and they were grounded. The airliner got full compensation, they put the planes away and got CRJ900's for the routes instead. Bombardier has now developed a new version of the Q400 - Q400NG. To compare, one of the oldest airliners in my country whom fly the harshest commuter routes along the coast NEVER have had any accidents with this type of airplanes (Dash 8-100, -300 and -Q400) despite the very tough weather conditions that exist along our coast... :) They still fly the Q400's without any problems, and their safety is still unbiased.

You probably won't feel any difference on the ERJ-145. It's a jetplane like any other. A tip is to sit as far in the front as you can, sitting in the back and "seeing the tube" can cause a difference. If you sit in the front you won't see that :) Remember that you also feel less of the turbulence in the front than in the back, if you become subject to turbulence.

About pilots, think about all the flights that they've done since the accident. Have you heard about any other accidents? Think about all the routines and maintenance they've "upped the amps" on since the accident. It's a weird thing to say, but it's pretty logical that after a big accident like that - it won't happen again in many years. Especially in a high security and safety country such as the US. They learn from their errors. There's always something that is improved after an accident :)

[Dachiri]

The small jets were one of my fears for a while, as well. I got thrust onto one last November and have been fine since. First, the flights on them tend to be awfully short. Second, it's not much different than flying a bigger jet. Sure, they get off the ground faster (which I actually like), and there's not as much carry-on room or headroom, but the actual feeling of the flight is really no different from a big 'ol jumbo. They also have other perks, like it doesn't take as much time to board and disembark since there are so few people on the plane and, if you check any baggage, you'll get it right quick as there's not much to handle! Drink service is also FAST. :D AND...you fly at a lower altitude than a jumbo, so the view can be fantastic. I spotted a cargo ship on my flight from DCA-JFK.

Meeting the pilots is really easy, as there's basically no clearance between the entrance area and the cockpit door. It's really easy to say "hi" on your way by. When I did that on my first flight on one of these little buggers, the pilots invited me to have a peek at the cockpit and chat for a few. That was also American, though it was their express brand, American Eagle. While much has been said about regional airline pilots in the wake of the Continental incident, my drivers seemed pretty happy and very competent. I believe they said they make the trip from DCA to JFK 3 times each way each day they work. Just another day in the office for them!

I see tons of these regional jets take off and land every day as there are numerous hourly regional flights out of Reagan National. Just like the larger planes, they take off and land consistently without incident. Aurora is right, there have been TONS of flights since the Continental incident, without any trouble. Probably more than on jumbo jets, as there are SO many regional flights all over the country every day.

[StPeteMark]

I've flown them on two round trips and they are great! Smooth, fast, and comfortable seating. If you are tall, you'll have to duck a little going down the aisle. Boarding is from the tarmac with stairs; that is where you will usually check any large luggage and pick it up after landing.

On my flights, one FA took care of the whole plane - 50 seats. Of course there were two pilots.

Don't worry, you'll have an enjoyable flight experience! :thumbsup:
.

[nervousflyer]

Thanks everyone! My flights are on Saturday and then again on the 15th of December. I'm still nervous but I've been busy enjoying Thanksgiving and the prep leading up to it that luckily I haven't thought about it as much as I did in the past. I'm still NERVOUS as heck though.

I last flew in January and forgot my Xanax and was in tears during takeoff. The guy next to me probably thought I was a wierdo.

Oh, and I'm rubbing my fear off on my hubby! He actually said he was getting nervous about our flights the other night.

We are flying MSP to Newark, Newark to Paris, and then Edinburgh to Newark and Newark to MSP. MSP and CDG are new airports to me. Also, I worry about Paris since it seems to have bad luck with flights. :(

ETA: We're taking this trip with a credit used from flights I CANCELLED in May, partly due to fear...so I won't let myself cancel again....

[nervousflyer]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/11/27/nj.runway.danger/index.html

[MathFox]

Like most of the "news" stories this seems to be written to attract readers; showing a balanced and correct picture is only second priority.
Facts are that the FAA has safety standards that say that planes in the air should stay apart by miles... and under certain circumstances planes in Newark may get within a mile. Yes, that is eating two miles into the safety margin, but still allowing both planes to fly on undamaged. If pilots and Controllers are shaken by such incidents, fair; but it does not really compare to driving on a highway with hundreds of cars in a mile, most of the drivers less trained than professional pilots.

[TXflyer]

Hey nervousflyer,

I flew an ERJ this summer, also on Continental Express/ExpressJet. It was just as I was starting to work on my flight anxiety so I let the plane and the airline eat away at me. However, it was one of the best flights I've ever had and the pilot was great about explaining how the flight would go. I was so impressed with their service that I wrote the company to give my compliments. I felt so sure that I would die on that flight, but it's been five months and I'm no worse for wear yet. ;) Just a positive story to counter all the negative things the news puts out there. :)

I'm pretty sure MathFox is right on as far as the spin that CNN probably put to their story. If anything, I'd be feeling good that they've noticed a situation that has caused no problems yet and are taking action to ensure that it never does. Although CNN tried to hide it, I think there's good news in there for fearful flyers. :)

Hope your flights go well!

[Aurora]

Also think about the fact that the planes have TCAS and will be warned to ascend / descend from eachother even if they are guided to close to eachother by the ATC :)