Could not resist the tip from Bargain Hunter's Shack to get the AS-CRJ at 30% discount. I had been, on/off, following (and frankly a bit weary) about the initial user-comments. Also, I was not sure if my moderate (FSX:SE) system is up to it. I am aware this aircraft has been now fairly well-represented/tested in this forum (will examine those posts later). This is my very first purchase from RealFlightShop. But, I just wished to report that everything has gone smoothly, so far. At least, no issues with installation or cockpit appearance/instrumentation (I am barely turning on the lights now, though!). Cold & Dark with this will take (long-term) dedicated time, for sure. Just a few on-the-ground shots below from the opening VC. Very impressed. Thanks for testing it out ahead of me!!

The CRJ 700 and 900 were always my favorite jets to fly on, they addressed the issues of the CRJ 200, mainly with the windows being too low and the seats too narrow, giving one a feeling of claustrophobia when flying in them.  Embraer learned from that and made their regional jets more open and airy, with the windows higher, giving passengers a better view,  The L1011, Boeing 767, and DC-10 also had well positioned windows, as does the 747.  The Airbus A32x series I did not care for when I traveled, their windows were smaller, seemed almost like portholes.

Back to the CRJ 700 and 900, my last flight into California was on a CRJ with my daughter some years ago, and I just loved it, sitting so far in front of the engines it was whisper quiet until we got to the flight levels, with the engine noise way in the back.

Coming home once from Atlanta, I was seated in the back of a MD-90, and the port engine shrieked into the cabin, very painful to hear, I knew something was wrong.  I pinged the call button, being a frequent flyer and aviation buff, I knew there was danger.  The flight attendant told me to stand down, so I turned to the other passengers and told them that a door was open, as loud as I could talk.  They pinged their call buttons, and an angry co pilot came back and sealed the door, scowling at the clueless flight attendant (and pregnant at that), that did not want to be bothered with our fear.  She was livid with us, but we were livid with her as we left the plane at our destination, knowing her carelessness could have cost us our lives.

Those were the times when the airline, who shall be nameless, was getting bad press for poor passenger safety training and compassion.  They just wanted to be a cattle hauler with wings, they were whipped into shape with public sentiment and now are one of the best airlines in the world to fly on.

John