On of the Q400 biggest problems is its common type ratting with 300/200/100 series D8 as this means we have got the same nightmare overhead panel and switchgear as the older types. However in this case it does mean that all you bacon boys with 300 ratings should only need the differences course and this is good news as Flybe now have a "square" bond for full type ratings on the Q400. £13k ish over three years, non reducing, so if you left after 2 years and 364 days you would still owe the full wack (ouch). However since its not your choice to change type, it is being done at the companies beheist as your current types are removed from the fleet should you be bonded at all? Question for your balpa reps maybe?
A bigger problem might be that the 195 isn't as good a short field aircraft as hoped.....and the Q400 isn't big enough for some routes. Hmm.
There's life left in the 146 yet possibly. Slow they might be, fuel efficient they may not be (though not bad compared to an A318!!) but they do perform some things very well and better than the others too, try getting into the Island with winds of 180/45G60 in either a Q400 or EMB145/195 then!
The last flybe base plan I saw had only D8's in GUR after the 146's are removed and I think all of the island flights from the mainland are on Q4's already so no need for the 195 to get into the really short fields on the domestic network. Any of the bacon routes go into places in europe with runways shorter than SOU?