and for an issue with cargo to be hammered out by lawyers. This is a new one. Lawyers? Are you sure you weren't sitting there waiting for accurate updated weight and balance figures? Trust me, you want these to be accurate.

I love DTW....It's Detroit that I can't stand.

I'll bet you've never even been there. The airport is located in Romulus, a good 25 miles or so from Detroit.

I have problems with ridiculously short connections.

NWA wont sell an itinerary with any connection shorter than 30 minutes. There are most likely another 2 or so flights that leave later, no matter where you are connecting to. Maybe it would help next time to select one of the later connections.

Sorry to hear your experiences have been so stressful. A suggestion, next time you pass through, get all your gate info in advance. You can use your cell phone as soon as the aircraft lands. Call 18002252525 and find out what gate you are departing from and what time while you are stuck taxiing. The arrival gate is usually announced quite a few times during the flight, and there is a map on page 62 (how disgusting I know that) of the World traveler. That way, at least you can get your bearings and plan your transit. Also, if you are traveling with your grandmother again, make sure to ask the FA when you board the plane for assistance in DTW. That way, hopefully it will be waiting for you. Just some suggestions, oh and one more, if the plane isn't full and you are running late, some nice FA's will let you move as close to the front as possible, so you can be first off. You're on your own with that one though, that's a play by ear situation.