Two replies and we're off at a tangent already – the miracles of Pprune.
I base my view on having flown it day-in, day-out for the last couple of years, as well as the vast experience of colleagues who have flown everything from DC3s, DC6s (and yes, even L188s) through to fast jets, DC-10s and 747s. Almost without exception, the Q400 is regarded as an aircraft at the trickier end of the scale.
It's a 29t MTOW turboprop with 10,000hp, giving it close on jet levels of performance – at least at low level – but with none of the refinements. It also has an extensive list of gotchas. But then again, as you said:
as I have never flown a dash then I can't really comment
Back to the thread then.