I was flying on a CRJ-200 today that just gave me the willies. Seriously, from the awful lavatory to the excessive amount of moaning snapping and groaning popping (in retrospect, snapping and popping seems to be a more appropriate description) and creaking from the underside of the airplane underneath my feet in 8C, the exit row, I just couldn’t stand the thing. Every bump, it creaked. Every movement of the flight controls, it creaked. This was especially noticeable in the descent which was slightly bumpy. The guy across the aisle remarked that he was writing down the tail number for his files so he wouldn’t fly on this particular airplane again.
Seriously, I’ve flown countless flights on 50 seat RJ’s and smaller turboprops. I myself have over 2,000 hours in aircraft of various sort as both pilot in command and second in command. I know airplanes make noises, but this one was just beyond anything I’ve experienced. We landed in PHL. One of the gentlemen on board remarked to one of the ground crew about the odd noises. I have no idea if there was really anything wrong with the airplane or not. If I had truly thought it was dangerous, I would have said something. But I did make a silent decision. I said to myself that if this aircraft was the one flying me on to Baltimore, I was taking the train. I deplaned into the terminal and turned around to see that this, indeed, was my aircraft to Baltimore as I had suspected based on my arrival and departure gate information email. I thought for a minute, and then I said I’m done flying today. I told the agent I wasn’t going, got in a cab, and headed to 30th Street station and Amtrak Acela to DC.
I got home, and that airplane got to BWI. Do I feel a little silly? Not one damn bit. Make fun of me in the comments if you want. đŸ™‚
I guess that’s why they call it US Scareways. I would have went standby on the next flight out.
good for you to take your gut reaction.
several months ago, i was flying to somplace (i think it was to IAH, but now i’m not sure) and all the night before i had an uneasy feeling like i have never had before. i thought about canceling the trip, but to much plannin ghad gone into it, and there were other people i was meeting in houston, so i went ahead and took the trip., however, the entire flight and onto the connecting flight, i felt oddly uncomfortable. at least nothing happened, thank god.
It is always best to go with your gut if you feel something strongly. Even if the plane made the flight ok, there may have been some other reason you were not suppose to take it.
PS, my dad worked for an aircraft manufacturer in California and had a co-worker who used to have a list of serial numbers and if the plane he was to board was on the list, he would not get on and would take the next flight. There may be reality to some planes being higher risk, or badly assembled.
Listen Listen Listen to that *Gut Feeling.
I too had a similar experience while heading to the airport and it only got stronger as i boarded a helicopter- 30 minutes later we CRASHED- Hard. We all survived but there was nothing left of the Bell Jet Ranger.
I have never had that *Gut Feeling again but if it comes back- no matter what the cost I will not board.
Bravo with your actions and posting it.
[…] can read all about my flight here. Right or wrong, I bailed and high tailed it to a cab and the 30th Street Station in Philadelphia […]
When you fly that often, go with your gut! I would have done the same thing.
i refuse to fly RJ’s, period.
they’re a scam being played on us by the airline industry.
the only time i’ll do it is if i have zero choice in the matter.
haven’t had to fly one in 3+ years now and I fly a decent amount.
@Mika, the agent gave me a little bit of a startled look, but seemed to catch on. In fact, I believe she may have been the person who heard the other passenger complain about the odd noises the airplane was making. In any event, I had a shot at making the 2:07pm Acela at this point so I elected to go for it and deal with the airline later. I’ve dispatched an email informing them of what I did and why. I also acknowledged that they don’t owe me a thing though I would appreciate a refund of the PHL… Read more »
I would report it. Could it have been a dog or cat though in cargo hold?
@BothofUs2, I did report it just now. I don’t think the CRJ-200 accommodates cargo underneath. I’ve reached out to a friend of mine with a few thousand hours in CRJs to see if there could be any kind of simple explanation.
@PerryPlatypus, I’ll bring an extra key chain for you FTU! đŸ˜€
Hey, a bad feeling is a bad feeling. Go with your gut.
Lucky for you the plane made it safely to BWI or I would have told you to watch your back. All those “Final Destination” movies warn that death doesn’t like to be cheated. Phew!!!!
Sometimes you just got to go with your gut. Hey, trains are cool!!
Hi, Interesting story, how did the agent react? Did you just tell them you weren’t going, or did you tell them that particular aircraft made you uneasy? I suppose if it was a connection it would have been involved for them to issue you some sort of partial refund on a partially used ticket? đŸ™‚
It’s worth contacting the airline and telling them what you did and why. If one of their planes is making very experienced passengers that uncomfortable, they should know.
you big sissy.. never reading your blog ever again.
Just kidding. Hey, if you feel uneasy, better to be safe.
I would have done the exact same thing.
I think you always gotta go with your gut feeling! If something did happen you would have been on the plane thinking oh crap I should have taken the train. Then I would have been left thinking “Well now, how am I ever going to get that super duper Marshall Jackson keychain at the FTU”
I would never feel silly putting safety first and if I thought for one minute that an aircraft I was about to board was unsafe, I wouldnt hesitate to do exactly the same thing as you did.
For someone who flies as frequently as you do to feel that uncomfortable probably says something about that plane. Am I surprised it got to BWI safely? Not at all. But do I blame you for making the choice you did? Nope.