Less than a month after the DCA crash, another plane operated by a regional carrier has crashed in Toronto today (with thankfully no deaths). I have a two-leg international trip in 2 weeks on Delta/KLM, and the first leg is via a regional carrier. I’m considering trying to switch that flight- am I overreacting? Cost would likely be $1500-$2000. We paid about $1500 for each ticket originally. |
That seems like a overreaction but it’s your life/money? |
You’re overreacting |
I would do it for peace of mind |
I don’t think there is any reason to believe a regional carrier is higher risk. |
If it's not a Cessna, I think it's ok. The regional carrier accident at DCA was not related to the fact that the plane was a regional carrier as far as I can tell.
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This. The one today in Toronto looks like it’s weather related, so although it’s the same type of plane (I think, or similar), you should be OK. |
Lady- the first crash was due to a HELICOPTER. |
No, it was a flap malfunction. |
Flying is an inherently dangerous activity that has been made safe by careful regulation. In places like Nigeria it has remained dangerous. It may be in the process of becoming more dangerous here, but it is too early to be sure. |
There is some theories that the DCA crash was because it was a regional and thus a smaller plane, the helo misjudged distance believing it to be a larger airplane but further away. |
All the airline personnel who work for the federal government, such as safety inspectors, are pre-occupied with losing their jobs with this sword of damacles over their necks in perpetuity. Any probational roles have been eliminated, which means there is more work and less personnel. The ATC were all fired under reagan, so its not impossible to imagine they especially feel vulnerable and that could have contributed to the DCA crash by creating a heightened stress and more fatigue for all ATC personnel involved. Driving is also dangerous, but I am curious how to assess how the risk of flying is evolving. |
I personally don't think that fact makes a regional jet less safe - I think helicopter traffic should be permanently banned around DCA. |
I think it would be easy to make a logical case that regional carriers are higher risk (because of the types of planes, the routes and airports, and the experience of the pilots) but impossible to make a logical case that changing your flights is reasonable. Regional carriers and the big airlines are both very, very safe. |
Airplane and helicopter paths are in close proximity only on the runway 33 approach, and that runway isn't used for larger jets. So the accident wouldn't have happened to a non-regional flight. |