Here is the low rent section of the Calgary Airport. It’s for West Jet turboprops only. They service smaller cities in Western Canada and include a selection of Saab 340’s and Q-400’s.
Turbo prop section of airport
- Thread starter Snagglefoot
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Back when Meigs Field existed my boss had to go to Springfield on company business and flew out of there. She swore off of that location after that trip because the plane was small enough that they wanted to know everyone's weight to balance the plane. She wasn't heavy, but she said that any plane that was so small that they needed to know who weighed what was too small for her and she'd drive the next time. 
Well, up north in Canada there are places you cannot drive to till ground freezes in winter, no proper paved roads either, only way to get there is by plane.
You haven't lived until you've flown on a Dash-8-100. Flew between Baltimore and Toronto a number of times on one of those.
I know there are smaller, but I bet not many smaller that fly commercial.
It's fun when they move you around for weight distribution purposes.
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- Feb 22, 2021
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Calgary got hit bad with hail.
10% of Westjets B737 are grounded it said in the news.
10% of Westjets B737 are grounded it said in the news.
I was asked my weight before boarding a flight once. They told me it was to distribute the weight in the aircraft. I asked if any women were on that flight and if so did they expect them to answer that question truthfully.Back when Meigs Field existed my boss had to go to Springfield on company business and flew out of there. She swore off of that location after that trip because the plane was small enough that they wanted to know everyone's weight to balance the plane. She wasn't heavy, but she said that any plane that was so small that they needed to know who weighed what was too small for her and she'd drive the next time.
The Q400 is an amazing airplane. Cruise speed of 350-410 mph which is comparable to a P-51 Mustang!
I used to regularly fly on Jetstream 31's between IAD-TYS. It had the comfort level of sitting on a 5 gallon bucket. Sometimes they'd sub it out with a Beachcraft 1900. That was a 5 gallon bucket with paper towels for cushions. The -8 was a luxury wide body in comparison.
Surprised they still operate the Saabs. There can't be many left in service. I believe Silver has replaced all of theirs with ATRs.
Last turboprop we flew on was a Dornier 328. It was pretty nice and seemed about as quick on the same leg flown in the other direction was on a DC-9. We were booked on a 328Jet once, but a CRJ was subbed for it and then the whole trip got cancelled due to weather, lots of snow.
We would have no problem with flying on a turboprop for a regional leg.
Last turboprop we flew on was a Dornier 328. It was pretty nice and seemed about as quick on the same leg flown in the other direction was on a DC-9. We were booked on a 328Jet once, but a CRJ was subbed for it and then the whole trip got cancelled due to weather, lots of snow.
We would have no problem with flying on a turboprop for a regional leg.
Dash-8 = migraine headache. Noisiest piece of equipment I've ever dealt with. Beech 1900 is another generator of obnoxious noise.
My last turbo prop was from Toronto to Newark on a Dash something or other. Had really bad motion sickness. I get motion sickness real easy on planes and start passing out. Have had to call for medical assistance more than once. You know when they announced is there a Dr onboard? Yeah, that was me. Been taking meclezene (Dramamine less drowsy) and no more issues. Still not flying a turbo prop. Lol.
Turboprops can't fly as high as jets to get out of the bad weather. I wouldn't fly on one in the wintertime.
They are a lot of fun going over the Rockies from Calgary to Cranbrook!
The last 2 turboprops that I remember being on was a Fokker F-27 (Ozark) and a Dash-7 (Hawaiian Airlines?) back in the 80's. I wouldn't mind flying on a Q400 or a Saab just for giggles.
