FLC OF ACR MLG ACFT EXPERIENCED AN ACFT PRESSURIZATION PROBLEM DURING DEP CLB RESULTING IN AMENDING CLRNC AND OPERATING AT A LOWER ALT TO DEST.

Narrative

ON CLBOUT OF WASHINGTON NATIONAL ARPT; CAPT AND FO WERE INTENT ON COMPLYING WITH NOISE ABATEMENT TRACK UP THE POTOMAC RIVER; AND INSURING ANTI-ICE PROTECTION WAS OPERATING. THE AFTER TKOF CHK WAS DELAYED; SO THE CABIN PRESSURIZATION CHK WAS NOT ACCOMPLISHED AS SOON AS NORMAL. AT 10500 FT A CABIN ALT ALERT SOUNDED AND ACFT WAS LEVELED OFF AT 10800 FT. PRESSURIZATION CTLR WAS SWITCHED FROM AUTO 1 TO AUTO 2 WITH NO EFFECT. NO AUTO PRESSURIZATION FAILURE OF EITHER SYS WAS ANNUNCIATED. PRESSURIZATION CTLR WAS SWITCHED TO MANUAL MODE; AND CABIN CTL WAS RESTORED. DECISION TO CONTINUE TO BOSTON AT AN ALT BELOW FL250 WAS MADE AND NO FURTHER PROBLEMS WERE ENCOUNTERED DURING CLB; CRUISE; OR DSCNT. THE WORKLOAD WAS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED FOR A 2 MAN COCKPIT. THE INTERACTION WITH ATC CTLRS WAS WONDERFUL; THEY WERE MOST ACCOMMODATING TO OUR REQUESTS. A DSCNT WAS INITIATED SOONER THAN NORMAL AT A SLOWER DSCNT RATE SO CABIN CTL COULD BE MAINTAINED EASIER. LNDG AT BOSTON WAS UNEVENTFUL. AS FAR AS RECOMMENDATIONS; I BELIEVE THAT THE DIFFICULTY ENCOUNTERED IN THIS SITUATION WAS COMPOUNDED BY THE 2 MAN CREW IN A HIGH DENSITY AREA WITH 'GOOFY' NOISE ABATEMENT PROCS. THE WORKLOAD FOR THE 2 MAN CREW IN THIS AREA IS HIGH UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS; WITH AN ABNORMAL SITUATION INTRODUCED THE WORKLOAD INCREASES EXPONENTIALLY.