'MOR' and 'Gear up shut up' are spot on with their comments although you will never change the minds of many FlyBE Q400 pilots as it is natural for most pilots to defend the type they are on.
Basically the Q400 is the new kid on the block, it is a very good turbo-prop - burns half the fuel of the 146 for 78 pax as apposed to the 146's 112 pax. It is also quick for a turbo-prop and therefore well suited to the short U.K./European routes that FlyBe do.
Unfortunately it is proving to be a little unreliable but for now at least we still have the old 146 to pick up the pieces when it all goes wrong.
Basically, the FlyBe management have taken a big risk acquiring the Q400's. It has proved to be unreliable with other operators in the past and because not many other operators have chosen it FlyBe are having to tackle the teething problems alone. Because of this they are keen to promote the aircraft. i.e. show it to be more reliable than it really is, do feature's on it in the in-flight magazine, increase the Q400 salaries by 30% over the last few years whilst giving the 146 pilots the minimum increase to attract more 146 pilots to convert to it.
Even our own Balpa/CC are keen to promote it to the point of calling a conversion from a Q400 to a 146 a TRANSFER Not a PROMOTION !!
Management will always do what they can to make it seem like they have made the right decision - only time will tell.
