I have even heard them referred to as crop dusters by a passenger. The press and television coverage of these commuter aircraft has been far from positive in the past. Recent accidents have also played a factor in the public reaction to these small aircraft. As passengers experience this short flight to later board a large jet aircraft at a major airport, they begin to pay more attention to the types of aircraft they will be flying on for the next flight. The result is less booking for the turbo-prop aircraft and more bookings for jet powered aircraft.
Passengers feel that the jet powered aircraft is more modern and sophisticated and therefore safer.
The airlines and their consultants have seen the new passenger trends and are rising to meet the demand. As Aviation grows as a mode of transportation, we can expect to see the needs of passengers focused on more aggressively by the airlines. In the past, it has been what is the most cost effective and easier for the company providing the service. Now there is a new factor for the airlines to contend with-Quality and Passenger Satisfaction. The industry is in a transitional phase and the benefits should make things better for the passenger.