I know others have asked about the smaller Embraers but I am wondering if the flight experience is any different from the bigger planes outside of less space in the cabin. I welcome any and all comments?!
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Portastorm |
ERJ-145s? |
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OK, just booked my family's summer trip from Tejas to Ohio on Capt. Steve's former employer and OneAnt's favorite carrier, American Airlines.
I'm excited as we'll be flying part of the trip on an Embraer 145. Never done that before and admit to a little anxiety about it. The rest is on old
reliable, the MD-80, which my wife calls "the pencil plane."
I know others have asked about the smaller Embraers but I am wondering if the flight experience is any different from the bigger planes outside of less space in the cabin. I welcome any and all comments?! |
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OneAnt |
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While not hugely different from the MD80s, it's a bit different.
First, you'll notice the size of the cabin. While the seats offer the same level of comfort/discomfort, there are fewer of them. Second, those ERJ-145s appear to rocket down the runway and go wheels-up much faster--which is accurate. Not so much the ground speed, but they're lighter and don't need as much runway to get up to speed. Third--and this is just me--they don't have that lumbering mammoth feel that some wide-bodies do (although I know that none of them are actually lumbering mammoths). It feels quick and agile and responsive. Personally, I can't say I've ever noticed a difference in the turbulence factor either. If you can swing an exit row, those ERJs are brilliant! Also, there's usually only one flight attendant and, since the plane is so small, the service is actually great. I've had consistently good service on those over the MD80s, even compared to domestic first class (minus the free booze/food--although I do get a free drink on the Americal Eagle flights since there's no first class). My guess is you'll really enjoy it. |
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Portastorm |
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Thanks OneAnt! After watching some vids on the FlightLevel350 website, I am kinda getting that impression about the Embraers. Cool. I'm really getting
excited now about this trip. I'll do a trip report for certain and maybe try to take some pics as well.
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Capn Steve |
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From a safety standpoint, the Embraers are just fine. I've had numerous rides in them.
However, I can't say that I'd want to ride one for more than about an hour and a half. (E.g., Detroit to New York.) They are rather cramped, I think. Although -- they are used on considerably longer routes than that. One thing that I DO like about RJs -- Embraer and Canadair alike. They have planeside "valet" baggage service. The overhead bins are too small to accommodate any but the smallest carry-on bags. So, what would normally be your carry-on is taken from you just before you board, and is returned as you deplane. No waiting at Baggage Claim. I much prefer that, rather than being the last one on the airplane (as I often am) and trying desperately to find overhead bin space for my bag. Cheers. Steve |
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Portastorm |
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Thanks Capt. Steve! Fortunately our rides on the Embraer 145s are from ORD to CLE and then on the way home from CLE back to ORD. We're riding the MD-80s
between AUS and ORD. The rides on the ERJs are only supposed to be about 45 minutes to an hour. I'm looking forward to the new experience and plan to take
pics and post a trip report late this month.
I remember flying on an F-100 on American back in 1997 from AUS to ORD. Even though it had the 3-seat, 2-seat split, the fuselage seemed narrower and shorter than an MD-80 ... but similar style. It felt cramped and I didn't care much for it. I like the "valet" baggage deal though. Didn't know that. Will be nice to avoid the baggage claim stampede in CLE, at least on the way up there. Thanks for the tip! |
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OneAnt |
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"...Will be nice to avoid the baggage claim stampede in CLE, at least on the way up there. Thanks for the tip! ..."
I think you misunderstood Capt Steve. You still have to check backs that are too large to carry on, just like any other plane. But rollaboards that you would normally carry on, and would fit above you in an MD80, may not fit in the smaller overhead bins on a ERJ. So you'll have to gate-check the bag at the bottom of the jetway just before boarding. If you're in a higher boarding group #, overhead bin space can be in short supply and difficult to find, especially with everyone trying to carry-on to avoid the baggage fees these days. Gate-checking is nice because now you just have to sit down and shove your purse/backpack under the seat in front of you without the need to rummage for bin space. |
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Capn Steve |
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Right. If your bag is too large to carry onto the MD-80 at AUS, you'll still need to check it, and it will remain checked until you arrive CLE, at which point you'll retrieve it at Baggage Claim. The Valet service is for bags that could "normally" be carried onto larger airplanes, but can't be carried onto an RJ because of the small bins. The F-100 fuselage is indeed considerably shorter than that of an MD-80 (which is, after all, a rather long airplane). It is very slightly narrower, too, I believe -- an inch or two. Don't have the exact numbers available. Still wide enough to accommodate the 2-3 seating. A personal note here -- I first checked out as Captain in the F-100 (at AA, that is -- I'd also flown as Captain at my previous employer). I thoroughly enjoyed flying it. As jet airliners go, it's not the hottest performer. But it's quite modern, with an advanced Flight Management System, and has a simple, straightforward cockpit layout, using CRT/EFIS instrumentation. I was sorry to see them go. Cheers. Steve |
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Portastorm |
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Capt. Steve and OneAnt ... thanks for clarifying. I was going down the wrong path of understanding on the baggage issue so I appreciate you calling attention
to that.
Saw several flight deck pictures of the American Eagle ERJs and it looks pretty cool/modern. |
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OneAnt |
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Also, here's an interior shot. While not from AA, look just the same. Again, check for an exit row seat when you get to the airport. Makes this plane seem
less cramped. And nice to be able to cross your legs!
http://lovernhome.us/fsx/Continental_Express_ERJ_145LR_Cabin_Empty.jpg |
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Portastorm |
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Thanks for the pix OneAnt. I'm looking forward to the experience and will try for one of those exit row seats. Meanwhile, I wish I could get my seats on
the AUS-ORD flight changed. Two of us are fine in row 19 and two of us are screwed in row 31. I've sat in row 31 before and it's noisy and the view out
the window is nice, if you like looking at the metal cowling of the engine! I called AA and they said full flight. I asked about releasing seats the day of and
they said "it's hard to say
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Capn Steve |
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Don't give up. There's no way that AA Rez could promise you seat changes the day of the flight, and they would have been misleading had they done do.
When you get to the airport, bring it up with the Gate Agents. They may -- or may not -- be able to get two of your party out of Row 31. The vast majority of agents that I know will do all they can. Cheers. Steve |
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travelinChris |
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What's the difference between the EMB and the ERJ-145s? I'll be on an EMB-145 next week.
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Portastorm |
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One is a subset of another. EMB refers to Embraer ... EMB-145 refers to an Embraer 145. Embraers also have 130-135-170-190. Lots of models.
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Portastorm |
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Hey, the ride up was great! I will post a full trip report some time next week and try to add some photos I took. Yeah, the ERJ was a bit cramped but the ride
was fun and it is a nimble piece of technology.
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womenshockeyfan |
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I have flown on them before--Continental Airlines from St. John's-Newark. I found them good. Good service from Continental as well.
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