ATR72? How bad is the flight?

[arabicmedicine]

Just wondering how bad the flight is on the ATR72 from sju to Dom. Anyone with experience please help. Thanks a lot.

[NaggingWife]

Im guessing you're refering to an American airlines flight? If so,it is not bad at all. It is quick and crowded. The plane is small but not "crop duster size".;)

They give you a snack and drink and you can see the other islands on the way. I found it pretty cool. My favorite part was landing. It has been a while since I have been there, so Im not sure if it the ocean or the mountains that you prepare to hit if the brakes fail.:p I think the biggest shocker to me and others was the airport itself. Good luck!

[arabicmedicine]

Im guessing you're refering to an American airlines flight? If so,it is not bad at all. It is quick and crowded. The plane is small but not "crop duster size".;)

They give you a snack and drink and you can see the other islands on the way. I found it pretty cool. My favorite part was landing. It has been a while since I have been there, so Im not sure if it the ocean or the mountains that you prepare to hit if the brakes fail.:p I think the biggest shocker to me and others was the airport itself. Good luck!


If he brakes fail? Crowded? Was it a choppy flight?

[NaggingWife]

The flight was not choppy but I guess it all comes down to the weather conditions. When I say the flight is crowded, I mean all the students (and some family members) are all coming down at the same time. The planes are smaller and older so the seats are narrow. What I said about the brakes failing, I was only kidding......or was I. ;)

[Dru]

The "shocker" is going from a jumbo jet into a little tiny thing. The overhead storage bin is about 1/8 the size on a normal flight that you may be used to, and the under-seat storage is about 1/2 as big. The cargo area for checked bags is smaller, too, so you may get to Dominica from PR, but your checked bags may arrive 1 week later when there are less crowded flights coming down. This becomes important news when you are packing. Make sure you either pack or wear a few changes of clothing and take your necessary toiletries in your carry-on, or you may be without your deo or toothbrush for a week. :(

Between my kid and I, we have landed and taken off a total of 10 times at Mellville Hall, and we've never experienced brake failure, although I'm sure it's a possibility any where at any time. If you are landing or taking off during the rainy season (June through October) you will always experience some turbulence.

Can anyone on the rock give us a report as to the progress of the installation of lights on the Mellville Hall Airport and the repair of the sinkhole at the Roseau Airport?

[bulin]

If you get motion sickness, you might want to take some Dramamine before you get on this flight. The descent may be a little bumpy, and if you combine that with the crazy ride to campus, you may get pretty sick.

[link626]

don't worry. if the plane goes down, you'll land in the water. Just be sure you know how to operate the life vest. :razz:

[Shah_Patel_PT]

Just wondering how bad the flight is on the ATR72 from sju to Dom. Anyone with experience please help. Thanks a lot.

When the plane lands in Dominica.....I swear it feels like you are landing into Jurassic Park!!

You will see what I mean...once you experience it!

[singer]

Just curious if they ever put runway lights at Melville Hall so the planes can land after sundown?

[MommyDearest]

Just curious if they ever put runway lights at Melville Hall so the planes can land after sundown?

When did you hear that one?

As far as I've heard they haven't.

[medNoir]

The only time I've seen runway lights on Mellville Hall airport
was when they parked their firetruck at the seaward end
and turned on all its lights.

The approach to MH is a mix between starwars and jurassic park.
They want to land seaward (facing out to sea) because
1- the wind usually comes landward
2- if they need to scrub the landing and keep going, its toward the ocean and not the mountains.

So they come in over land, turn, then fly through a valley to reach the runway. Out either window you can see the hills, trees, houses zoom by at eye level and pretend you are Professor Alan Grant Skywalker.
Yes hills do create wind sheer and thermal columns. It gets bumpy.
But no where near as bumpy as the van ride from the airport to school.

[link626]

if they put lights on the runway, it would take out all the electricity in portsmouth.

[emhgee]

Eh- can't be much worse than LaGuardia...

http://www.cb3qn.nyc.gov/file_depot/0-10000000/0-10000/2480/layout/33087/96854/LaGuardia+Airport+Arial+Photo.jpg

'Nuff said there.

btw

"The planes are smaller and older so the seats are narrow. What I said about the brakes failing, I was only kidding......or was I."

"don't worry. if the plane goes down, you'll land in the water. Just be sure you know how to operate the life vest"

Those are pretty crappy things to say - even in jest. Some people are already probably a bit uneasy about flying - I'm sure those comments helped tons.

[jim]

if you follow the dominican news( i still do online!), you would know that the contract for the lights was awarded, but to a non-island company, and now there are protests by local unions about off-shoring of the job. this is expected to hold up the renovations by another few months. hey, it has to be better then when i first gfot there. i remember when we came back froma trip to st maarten during 4th semester and we realisedthat A/C had been added in the arrivals area. we were so happy as we waited for customs!

[stateofequilibrium]

I flew an ATR once to St. Maarten. After that, I made sure all my flights were on jets.

[Neuro3]

They are in the process of doing the up grades on the airport but still do not have runway lights yet.

[WestTexasRN]

From CNN: Tunisian Air's ATR crashed carrying 35 passengers.

[RossMD2006]

Don't worry about the plane ride into or out of Dominica. Worry about the hour drive from the airport to campus. If you don't puke by the end of your 4th semester, you will be guaranteed automatic admission into the AICM program in Miami!

[emhgee]

Why thanks TXRN - Im sure thats just what everyone wants to think about.

From CNN: Karma is a *******.

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