Its hard to compare the MD-11 to the CRJ. The MD-11 actually performs well even at max gross! Well... compared to the RJ I think it performs well at Max gross! I am fine with the long legs. Our layovers are longer than most other airlines so you have plenty of time to rest in between flights. Plus we operate with 3 sometimes 4 pilots. On the 4 man flights you are only working for about 5 or 6 hours. Rather easy! The glass cockpit/FMS experiance of the RJ made the transition much easier. The only thing about the long hauls that isn't so great is the number of landings you make. Its hard to be consistent with your landings when you only make 2 or 3 a month. Plus if you screw one up you'll have to live with it for a couple of weeks! 