Despite the inconvenience, I too agree that there is no compensation due to you. Granted, a you had experienced a rare event, the delays were part of safety precautions(sufficient sleep for pilots, etc). Every airlines have these irregular operations and you were just unlucky that day. The latest data at DOT indicate that NW's 75% ontime record is the industry average. Even with this though, delays happens.

If anything, I'd say you have a high chance of scoring the amenity packets. It includes a phone card and a discount travel voucher good for future travel. Since you had to notify someone of your delay, you could make a case that you had to use the phone. Discount travel cert is the compensation associated with the taxi cab tab.

As for incomopentencies, I don't think NW is not incompentent. NW has taken steps in operating your flight safely with reasonable delay, instead of cancelling. They have many safety precautions/procedures in place for irregular ops. They often notify the connecting airlines of your delays and rebook your flights. They might sometime book you on a competing carrier. (Many LCC can't even do that).

(On a side note, Alaska Airlines recorded a 55% to 65% ontime record in April - June, 2005. 4 out of 10 flights were at least 15 minutes delayed, and that excluded those flights which were cancelled..... For me, Flying Alaska at those times was my test of my nerves...... Northwest, in my opinion, keeps a lot more of its flight, on-time)

Jiburi