I find the comments about the CRJ-200 really interesting, especially from pilots, who have never flown one - or who have never flown one at a high altitude.

I have over 3,500 hours in CRJ-200/700's and I can tell you from personal experience the -200 in not a safe airplane at high altitudes. I have never flown the -900, perhaps TonyWilliams can share his impressions. I don't care what the CRJ salespeople told to regional airline management, or what management at any given regional requires their pilots to do, the -200 airplane is not safe at FL390 and above. Period. It is NOT about lacking pilot skills. It is NOT about inadequate regional airline pilot training.

The airplane simply does not have the performance with any sort of fuel load on board with pax and baggage. In addition there are issues with the aircraft, that in my personal opinion are not totally resolved by operators, the FAA, or Bombardier, when operating the -200 at OATs of -60 C for extended periods of time. As far as I know the -700/900 do not suffer from the same issues at these cold temperatures.

If anybody wants to go rent one by the hour and fly it without pax, or baggage and a light fuel load, in the middle of winter over Fargo, go for it - have fun. Please just make sure you leave your friends and loved ones back on the ground. They don't deserve to take that risk with you.

Rant over.