ERJ Load Balancing
 

Tuesday I flew from DFW-BTR. The equipment was either ERJ-140 or ERJ-145. Prior to push-back the Captain had the attendant find a volunteer to move from the front to rear of the cabin. My thought is that due to the number of forward seat assignments the center of balance needed correction? Is it more of an efficiency during flight or something else? Can someone tell me more about this? Thanks, Tim

It is about center of gravity. Both the CRJ and the ERJ have some CG issues if there aren't enough bags loaded in the back. When I flew the CRJ, we used to need ballast back there, or if weight restricted would move passengers. Not for efficiency, but to actually stay within cg limits.

Naturally, this is not something the gate or passengers worry about when giving or selecting seat assignments.