Originally Posted by
Enginerd
I am only here to lurk…I am not a pilot, nor do I have aspirations to be one (though it is a damn interesting living)…I am not a lawyer or w/any news agency…just a guy who used to live in Buffalo and is trying to learn all I can about what happened that night from people that have the experience and understanding of the circumstances…i.e., you, pilots (well maybe not ‘the’ circumstances from that night, we are all waiting on those).
I cannot get the info that I get here from a newspaper, CNN, etc., anywhere else…nor can I get some of the very interesting stories I’ve read in my brief time lurking here (thanks for the laughs…and gasps).
This one really hit home for me, like no other incident before; I have flown on the Q400 from Newark to Buffalo, in conditions just like that night, more times than I can count...possibly on that particular aircraft (though it has been about 3 yrs since I made that trip). One thing that has stuck with me is how large, quiet, yet comfortable that plane is for a prop aircraft. It is a great piece of equip for the people sitting in the back…but I digress.
I, for one, appreciate the respectful discussion of the incident and have learned a great deal here that I cannot get from the ridiculous animations and ten second sound bites on CNN/elsewhere (if they still happen to be talking about this and not some other story -dujour), nor can I go anywhere for factual interpretation of the data that has been released.
So I suppose this is a long-winded way of saying thank you. I certainly am enjoying what I can take away from your discussion(s) and already have a different outlook, and greater respect, for what goes on up front.
I have nothing else to add to this forum or discussion and will gladly go back to my corner and be quiet 
, but wanted y’all to be aware that there are some civilians among you whom do sincerely appreciate the discussion, so long as it is conducted in the most respectful way possible (which it has been). Truly there is a great deal of professionalism and insight here, and I thank you for that.
Cheers and take care,
-Chris
Thank you very much Enginerd! Hopefully you'll be able to fly more often and be on one of our flights here on this board. Most (if not all pilots) always welcome passengers to the front after the flight to say thanks if they wish. I'm not sure any pilot would deny you the opportunity
Originally Posted by
NightIP
He may be referring to XJT ATRs, I suppose. *shrugs*
Didn't know XJT flew ATRs 3 years ago ... or are you not talking about ExpressJet? That's just the way I've always seen their name abbreviated