Chimbu/BIK,
You guys really do have a problem with the swinebat, don't you?
Firstly, it has all those systems because it was certified as a true 4-eng aeroplane, and is therefore automatically ETOPS, something which NJ has used to great effect to CCK. Into the bargain, it has so much redundancy that it is very unlikely to get you into a hairy situation. I've had a TRU go tits up in 12 years, so knock off the criticism there. And 12 engineers on each turnaround is absolute garbage.
Fruitloop, the Emerg Start button to which you ignorantly refer, has nothing to do with the TRUs. It permits the aircraft battery to start a donk. When's your next line check?
Sure the 717 may be the machine of the times, but it certainly wasn't up to 3 years ago.
She's all a case of economics. You may want to fly a nice shiny new Boeing to an out of the way place, but the person paying the dollars is not interested, and so the 146 is it. Quite apart from it's unsurpassed hot/high performance.
Ref BIK's snipe at the 502, the thing is NOT underpowered: look at what it was designed for ie Europe at ISA. Just because Oz operators try to make it do more isn't the problem of the jet. Whinge to the beancounters. And who the hell cares if it's slow to climb above 250? Does that mean the coffee comes more slowly??
I could go on and on: stick to the practicalities boys. I'm just as keen to get out of the gas chamber, but the dollars (or the politics!!) will decide. Bring on the Brazilian Sports Car! OK, I'll take a 717 if you insist...