Originally Posted by
reelbigchair
Also the EMB145 (still speaking FO here) has a PTT on the upper right side so you can answer a radio call with your right hand and change the ALT, HDG, etc with your left. Yes it can be done in the CRJ but you have to use the one on the yoke and a lot of people don't like you touching that if they're hand flying at the time.
On the CRJ, you just have to criss cross yourself a little. Use the PTT switch on the RTU with your left hand, and reach over with your right hand to change the ALT, HDG, etc. knobs on the MCP. You have to be somewhat flexible, but I've done it before. In fact, when I'm the PNF I almost always use the PTT switch on the RTU versus the one on the yoke.