Originally Posted by guloxi

Hello, fellow travelers,

NW 949, MEM-GPT, Thursday, March 9, 2006.

Pretty much on time leaving MEM. During flight, the lead FA comes on the PA and says if the oxygen masks drop, it's not a mistake, put the on, etc. Then the Captain comes on and says we've got a pressurization problem (losing pressure, of course) and must descend quickly and divert to the closest airport, which is JAN. Landing uneventful.

Hours later, the contract mechanic has repaired and tested the aircraft, a DC-9/50, and declared it fixed, so we reboard. Engine start, we wait and wait, then the Captain again comes on the PA. Low oil in number one engine. Again, the contract mechanic comes out, etc. End result, he gets things fixed up and full of oil and away we go, arriving in GPT only 8 hours late.

The positive part of this story is that the crew was great. The Captain and First Officer gave us timely and detailed information, no BS. The cabin crew were very friendly, professional and upbeat. One flight attendant was nearing her hours and called scheduling to ask to be extended (which was granted). Otherwise the flight would have cancelled.

There were several military spouses aboard on their was to meet their husbands at Camp Shelby before they deployed to Iraq. The crew was very sympathetic to their plight and did what they could to help.

We hear so many negative anecdotes about abysmal service and bad attitudes among some NW personnel, I just thought I'd share with you some positive thoughts about this particular flight.

By the way, NW gave me 10,000 miles for the eight hour delay. Better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. (Wouldn't credit it to my CO account, though.)

Happy traveling.

Remember, there's no place like home when you're this far away.

Guloxi