Never having flown the ATR42 I dont want to comment on its relative merits/difficulties, however I can only concur with previous comments about turbo-props being a challenge to fly in an operational environment...I always chuckle when I hear jet drivers moan about the problems they face!!!.....try losing a critical engine on a go-around in heavy icing...I think Id give just about anything at that point for a dose of CFM56 or trent 800. ahhhhhhhh Its nice to dream I guess.
Cheers H