Originally Posted by
Pogey Bait
Watch out with putting the bleeds on at a higher altitude. On some types of planes you are going to be popping people's ear drums.
Departing with the packs off is normal for ERJs, so it is not like I am making this procedure up. Obviously, do not do anything contrary to training/SOPs. I was just trying to let CRJ pilots know that taking off unpressurized is not dangerous in itself. On the ERJ, we would turn one pack on at around 1,000 feet and turn the other one on after the After Takeoff checklist. That would prevent a pressurization bump.