A Metro Passenger

[Doc]

Got a trip in the back of a Metro today. Must admit, it's been a while. I had forgotten how absolutely HIDEOUS it is from a passenger's point of view. Now, as a pilot I have a few hours in a Metro, and I remember them as flying a Hell of a lot nicer than they look. I won't name the airline, because that's really irrelevant. What IS relevant is the total lack of creature comforts a passenger can expect while riding one. Now, I've ridden around in the back of our airplanes (most of you know what they are) and they are 200% more comfortable than a Metro. It amazes me, that in a time of Q400's, Saab 340's and ATR's passengers are still subjected to these "racks" of aviation. Yes, I know they're cheap. I know all the "reasons" they still ply the skies. But come on. They're CRAP!

[ahramin]

Amen.

Even worse than a Jetstream.

[iflyforpie]

<stretches to get crick out of neck and circulation in legs> WHAT!!!!?

[Kabloona]

I don't know, I flew on a Bearskin Metro last year and the flight was alright. I was expecting a terrible experience from hearsay but other than the cramped quarters it was a positive experience.

[Panama Jack]

The only reason why Metros still ply the airways in Canada with certain operators is that they were not able to import Antonov AN-24's.

[Darkwing Duck]

Sure the Metro is loud and cramped and uncomfortable, (Never flown as a pax in one but have been upfront) but so was the F28 when Canadian and Air North drove them along with Tin CanJets -37s. (the NG not the Jurasics.) And the CRJ is not pleasant either sitting in the window seat.

[BTD]

I think I probably fly for the airline you are referring to. Granted they aren't the most creature comfort based aircraft.

From a flying perspective they are okay but nothing to write home about. But for the operator they are a great aircraft, that allows them to provide service to certain areas that might not otherwise receive service because other aircraft aren't as economical. It might not be worth it to stop in for that 1 or 2 passengers.

Every person is going to have their perspective on certain aircraft. I hope that this does not degenerate into a thread about the Metro being an unsafe aircraft. I see it heading in that direction. I am aware that isn't what Doc meant though.

[747-875]

...but so was the F28 when Canadian and Air North drove them along with...

As far as I know Air North has never operated the F28. I believe Canadian North had a pair of them for a couple years though.

[Rudy]

And the CRJ is not pleasant either sitting in the window seat.

It gets quite loud when the engines get into those harmonic resonance pulses. Is there no way to sync the engines on a jet like you would with a propellor driven airplane? The Q400 takes longer but at least I can take a nap in the back of that one.

[CID]

We need to compare apples to apples here and I think to do that we need to zone in on the players. Bearskin Metro interiors are basic but decent. Perimeter on the other hand is almost like riding in a garbage can complete with the filth.

It really has little to do with the airplane type and everything to do with the operator. You'll never make the cabin bigger or quieter but you can certainly do better than sewer tube decor, dirty seats and hearing defender headsets strapped to the wall with steel wire.

Of course none of that stops Perimeter's select clientele from scratching their initials into the windows or sidewalls or writing their full names in permanent marker.

And comparing a Metro with a CRJ or an F28?? Seriously?

[sky's the limit]

And comparing a Metro with a CRJ or an F28?? Seriously?

You beat me to it.

Ah the Lawn Dart... brings back not so find memories of a misguided few months in Grade 9 when I filled in for a friend at Mc Donald's while their family went on vacation.... Beep, Beep, Beep, "Hey, get the damn fries out already!"

stl

[Doc]

BTD, no names mentioned. However I will go on to say.....IN NO WAY IS THE METRO UNSAFE!!! It's just HORRID!! As a passenger. I've flown worse aircraft from a pilot's point of view.

[Expat]

The only reason why Metros still ply the airways in Canada with certain operators is that they were not able to import Antonov AN-24's.

We recently upgraded (?) from a Dash 7 here to an AN-26

[Nark]

Why drive around a Cadillac, when the Honda Civic is paid for?

[Darkwing Duck]

...but so was the F28 when Canadian and Air North drove them along with...

As far as I know Air North has never operated the F28. I believe Canadian North had a pair of them for a couple years though.

I actually meant to say Cnd North. I'll take the 15yds for objectional conduct.

And comparing a Metro with a CRJ or an F28?? Seriously?

Metro and F28 = Loud
Metro and CRJ = Cramped

I could go on and on and on and on and... (you get the point) of comparing this and that and the other thing. I was not looking at performance or cost per hr or whatever else....That is all.

[JayVee]

I thought this was going to be a thread about a dude wearing eye makeup and billabong clothes, who smells nice.

[oldtimer]

The problem with the Metro is that they are both safe and efficient.
Almost every operator with Metro's made money with the damn things so they have a tendency to stick around.
The Beech 1900 is a more comfortable airplane but it is also more expemsive.
People will put up with shit if it is cheap. Just look at Walmart.

[Les Habitants]

And comparing a Metro with a CRJ or an F28?? Seriously?

You beat me to it.

Ah the Lawn Dart... brings back not so find memories of a misguided few months in Grade 9 when I filled in for a friend at Mc Donald's while their family went on vacation.... Beep, Beep, Beep, "Hey, get the damn fries out already!"

stl

I chortled at that one.

[Les Habitants]

And comparing a Metro with a CRJ or an F28?? Seriously?

You beat me to it.

Ah the Lawn Dart... brings back not so find memories of a misguided few months in Grade 9 when I filled in for a friend at Mc Donald's while their family went on vacation.... Beep, Beep, Beep, "Hey, get the damn fries out already!"

stl

I chortled at that one.

The Metro is lots of fun to fly (make sure you have a good headset if you're in a Metro 2), but as a passenger, I agree with Doc. Very little space, crap seats, cramped, little room to put your carry on, etc.

Of course none of that stops Perimeter's select clientele from scratching their initials into the windows or sidewalls or writing their full names in permanent marker.

Bingo.

[xTally]

Plenty of space in the cabin... if you're below a certain height threshold

[Rowdy]

I'd rather get rocked and hypoxic down low in the ol' nine niner airliner

[KAG]

And the CRJ is not pleasant either sitting in the window seat.

It gets quite loud when the engines get into those harmonic resonance pulses. Is there no way to sync the engines on a jet like you would with a propellor driven airplane? The Q400 takes longer but at least I can take a nap in the back of that one.

You have to sync the engines on the rj just like you would a turbo prop. It drove me nuts flying those with the engines ou of sync!!!

[Rudy]

And the CRJ is not pleasant either sitting in the window seat.

It gets quite loud when the engines get into those harmonic resonance pulses. Is there no way to sync the engines on a jet like you would with a propellor driven airplane? The Q400 takes longer but at least I can take a nap in the back of that one.

You have to sync the engines on the rj just like you would a turbo prop. It drove me nuts flying those with the engines ou of sync!!!

So it's just pilot indifference when the passengers have to listen to that for almost the whole flight?

[Doc]

I'd rather get rocked and hypoxic down low in the ol' nine niner airliner

Now there's a POS! Never been in the back. Never again want to be in the front. Make the entire fleet into beer cans!

[Nark]

I'd rather get rocked and hypoxic down low in the ol' nine niner airliner

Now there's a POS! Never been in the back. Never again want to be in the front. Make the entire fleet into beer cans!

Them's is Fight'n Words!!


Although I've never flown an airplane where I needed to turn up the radio volume to full during takeoff. The only good thing about flying the Airliner is Multi Turbine PIC in the logbook. Other than that, leaves a bit of to be desired.