Flying DTW-MSN last night; 10pm departure delayed till 1215am - - the pilots needed to fly the segment were already in the air to MSN on another flight, and still had to double back to DTW to fly the 10pm (that was now delayed past midnight).

The GA gave constant updates (actually, there was only one update, as delineated above, but continued to give it); they gave out snacks; and when the plane left at 1215am (Woodford Reserve: Breakfast of Champions) the FA's were WONDERFUL. They could have been grumpy or groused (as could have the pilots) but they didn't. Same presence and care deboarding at MSN.

GREAT people. And although the question remains whether staffing is too sparse to cover contingencies, the service aspect and the people aspect is truly remarkable.