Originally Posted by USFlyerUS

You're all forgetting the #1 issue: Once passengers are let off the plane, they could very easily walk out of the airport and never return. Given the airport didn't have customs and immigration, NW couldn't risk getting in trouble with the feds. Hence, everyone needed to stay in a secure area. This is totally logical and, while unfortunate, everyone followed the right procedures. If this had been a domestic flight, sure, I wouldn't be agreeing. But it's an international flight, so the rules are different.